Guanidine derivatives as inhibitors of ddah

ABSTRACT

Compounds of formula (I) have been found to be useful as inhibitors of DDAH. The present invention thus provides the use of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a disease whose pathology is affected by DDAH

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is the National Stage Application of InternationalApplication Number PCT/GB05/004361 filed on Nov. 11, 2005, assigned theInternational Publication Number WO 2006/051314 A2 published on May 18,2006, which claims priority to Great Britain Patent Application No.0510348.6 filed May 20, 2005 and to Great Britain Patent Application No.0425039.5 filed on Nov. 12, 2004.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to compounds that are inhibitors of DDAHand which are therefore useful in treating diseases whose pathology isaffected by DDAH.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Endogenous methylarginines- N^(G)N^(G) dimethyl-L-arginine (ADMA) andN^(G) monomethyl-L-arginine (L-NMMA) which are released by proteolysisof methylated protein arginine residues, are inhibitors of all nitricoxide synthase (NOS) isoforms. The enzyme dimethylargininedimethylaminohydrolase (DDAH) metabolises the two NOS-inhibitingmethylarginines, but not the related N^(G)N′^(G) dimethylarginine (SDMA)which is physiologically inactive.

Thus DDAH, which controls levels of asymmetrically methylated argininederivatives, may have therapeutic potential through its ability toindirectly influence the activity of NOS.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It has now surprisingly been found that compounds of the general formula(I) set out below act as inhibitors of DDAH. Accordingly, the presentinvention provides the use of a compound of formula (I), or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of amedicament for use as an inhibitor of DDAH

wherein:

-   -   either (a) R¹ is C₃-C₁₂ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkynyl,        C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl,        5- to 10-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A        or -L-Y-A, wherein:        -   L is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl;        -   L′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl;        -   A is C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered            heterocyclyl or 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl;        -   Het is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, wherein R′ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆            alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl; and        -   Y is —CO—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— or            —NR′—CO—, wherein R′ is as defined above;    -   R² is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl; and    -   R³ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl,    -   or (b) R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they        are attached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl        ring, and R³ is as defined above,    -   or (c) R¹ and R³ form, together with the —N—C═N— moiety to which        they are attached, a 5 to 10-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl        ring, and R² is as defined above;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl;    -   B is C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, —O-L-, —S-L- or -L-Het-L′-,        wherein L, L′ and Het are as defined above;    -   X is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, wherein R′ is as defined above;    -   R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, aryl,        C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to        10-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A,        -L-Y-A, -L-A-Het-A, -L-A-L′-A or    -   -L-A-Het-L′-A, wherein L, L′, Het and Y are as defined above and        wherein each A is the same or different and is as defined above;    -   R⁶ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl;    -   R⁷ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or        R⁷ is a bond, a C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is        joined to one of the carbon atoms of B to form, together with        the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B are attached, a 5- to        10-membered heterocyclic ring; and    -   R⁸ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl or C₂-C₆ alkynyl;        wherein:    -   the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups and moieties in the        substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B are unsubstituted or substituted        by one, two or three substituents which are the same or        different and are selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino and thio        substituents; and    -   the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and        moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or        heteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹        together with R³ and heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ together        with B are unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three        substituents selected from halogen, hydroxy, amino, thio, C₁-C₆        alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆        alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆ alkyl)amino, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆        haloalkoxy and C₁-C₆ haloalkylthio substituents.

Examples of compounds of formula (I) are compounds as defined abovewherein R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, aryl,C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A or -L-Y-A, wherein L, L′,A, Het and Y are as defined above.

The present invention also relates to a compound of formula (I) for usein the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a diseasewhose pathology is affected by DDAH.

The present invention also relates to a compound of formula (I) for usein the manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment ofischaemia-reperfusion injury of the brain or heart, cancer, lethalhypotension in severe inflammatory conditions, local and systemicinflammatory disorders, neurodegeneration, asthma, pain or sepsis.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of the present invention in order that the detaileddescription of the invention that follows may be better understood.Additional features and advantages of the invention will be describedhereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. Itshould be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conceptionand specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by thoseskilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appendedclaims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic ofthe invention, both as to its organization and method of operation,together with further objects and advantages will be better understoodfrom the following description when considered in connection with theaccompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, thateach of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only and is not intended as a definition of the limits ofthe present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference isnow made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawing, in which:

FIG. 1 is a graph showing the nitrate and nitrite (NOx) production fromisolated rat aortic rings in static culture in the presence of eithermedia alone (untreated); media plus 10 μg/ml LPS (LPS) and media plus 10μg/ml LPS and 500 μM SR257 or SR291. n≧6; *p<0.0001 One Way ANOVA plusBonferroni post hoc correction;

FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are traces illustrating the tension in isolated aorticring demonstrating contraction in response to phenylephrine EC80 andsubsequent iNOS mediated dilatation in response to LPS treatment over 4hour timecourse (FIG. 2 a) and response of vessel to D-SR257, L-SR257and L-arginine (FIG. 2 b—expanded trace from 2 a);

FIG. 3 is a trace illustrating blood pressure in anaesthetized ratdemonstrating initial effect of 40 mg/kg endotoxin (ETX) administrationon blood pressure followed by a recovery and gradual fall in bloodpressure over time. Effects of intervention after 2-3 hours (when bloodpressure had fallen to 80% of baseline pre LPS blood pressure) with 30mg/kg/hr infusion of SR291;

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I),or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, in the manufacture of amedicament for use as an inhibitor of DDAH.

For the avoidance of doubt, the orientation of the group Y in the moiety-L-Y-A is such that the left hand side of the depicted group is attachedto L. Thus, for example, when Y is —CO—NR′—, the group -L-Y-A is-L-CO—NR′-A. Similarly, for the avoidance of doubt, the orientation ofthe group Y in the moiety -L-Y-L′ is such that the left hand side of thedepicted group is to L. Thus, for example, when Y is —CO—NR′—, the group-L-Y-L′ is -L-CO—NR′-L′.

For the avoidance of doubt, when the group B is —O-L- or —S-L- the lefthand side of the depicted group is attached to the guanadine nitrogen.Thus, for example, when B is —O-L-, the moiety —R⁴N—B—CR⁸(NR⁶R⁷)— is—R⁴N—O-L-CR⁸(NR⁶R⁷)—.

As used herein, a C₁-C₁₂ alkyl group or moiety is a linear or branchedalkyl group or moiety containing from 1 to 12 carbon atoms, such as aC₃-C₁₂, a C₁-C₆ or C₁-C₄ alkyl group or moiety. Examples of such alkylgroups or moieties are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl,n-octyl and —CH₂CMe₃. Examples of C₃-C₁₂ alkyl groups or moieties aren-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, n-octyl and —CH₂CMe₃. In one embodiment, aC₃-C₁₂ alkyl group is preferably a C₅-C₁₂ alkyl group and morepreferably a C₆-C₁₂ alkyl group. A divalent alkyl group or moiety (oralkylene group or moiety) can be attached via the same carbon atom, viaadjacent carbon atoms or via non-adjacent carbon atoms. Examples ofdivalent alkyl moieties are methylene, 1,2-ethyl and 1,3-propylmoieties. Preferred divalent alkyl moieties are 1,2-ethyl and 1,3-propylmoieties.

As used herein, a C₂-C₁₂ alkenyl group or moiety is a linear or branchedalkenyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, such as aC₃-C₁₂, C₂-C₆ or C₂-C₄ alkenyl group or moiety, for example ethenyl,n-propenyl and n-butnyl. A preferred C₂-C₆ alkenyl group is ethenyl. Apreferred C₃-C₁₂ alkenyl group is allyl. In one embodiment, a C₃-C₁₂alkenyl group is preferably a C₄-C₁₂ alkenyl group and more preferably aC₅-C₁₂ alkenyl group. Typically an alkenyl group has only one doublebond. This double bond is typically located at the α-position of thealkenyl group. A divalent alkenyl group (or alkenylene group) can beattached via the same carbon atom, via adjacent carbon atoms or vianon-adjacent carbon atoms.

As used herein, a C₂-C₁₂ alkynyl group or moiety is a linear or branchedalkenyl group or moiety containing from 2 to 12 carbon atoms, such as aC₃-C₁₂, C₂-C₆ or C₂-C₄ alkynyl group or moiety, for example ethynyl. Inone embodiment, a C₃-C₁₂ alkynyl group is preferably a C₄-C₁₂ alkynylgroup and more preferably a C₅-C₁₂ alkynyl group. Typically an alkynylgroup has only one triple bond. This triple bond is typically located atthe α-position of the alkynyl group. A divalent alkynyl group (oralkynylene group) can be attached via the same carbon atom, via adjacentcarbon atoms or via non-adjacent carbon atoms.

As used herein, a halogen is typically chlorine, fluorine, bromine oriodine and is preferably chlorine or fluorine. As used herein, a saidC₁-C₆ alkoxy group is typically a said C₁-C₆ alkyl group attached to anoxygen atom. A said C₁-C₆ alkylthio group is typically a said C₁-C₆alkyl group attached to a thio group.

As used herein, a C₁-C₆ haloalkyl group is typically a said C₁-C₆ alkylgroup, for example a C₁-C₄ alkyl group, substituted by one or more saidhalogen atoms. Typically, it is substituted by 1, 2 or 3 said halogenatoms. Examples of haloalkyl groups include perhaloalkyl groups such as—CX₃ wherein X is a said halogen atom, for example —CF₃. Preferredhaloalkyl groups include monohaloalkyl groups such as —CH₂—CH₂F andperhaloalkyl groups such as —CF₃. Examples of preferred haloalkyl groupsinclude monohaloalkyl groups such as —CH₂—CH₂F.

As used herein, a C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy group is typically a said C₁-C₆alkoxy group, for example a C₁-C₄ alkoxy group, substituted by one ormore said halogen atoms. Typically, it is substituted by 1, 2 or 3 saidhalogen atoms. Preferred haloalkoxy groups include perhaloalkoxy groupssuch as —OCX₃ wherein X is a said halogen atom. Particularly preferredhaloalkoxy groups are —OCF₃ and —OCCl₃.

As used herein, a C₁-C₆ haloalkylthio group is typically a said C₁-C₆alkylthio group, for example a C₁-C₄ alkylthio group, substituted by oneor more said halogen atoms. Typically, it is substituted by 1, 2 or 3said halogen atoms. Preferred haloalkylthio groups includeperhaloalkylthio groups such as —SCX₃ wherein X is a said halogen atom.Particularly preferred haloalkylthio groups are —SCF₃ and —SCCl₃.

As used herein, a C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl group or moiety is a non-aromaticsaturated or unsaturated hydrocarbon ring, having from 3 to 6 carbonatoms. Preferably it is a saturated group, i.e. a C₃-C₆ cycloalkylgroup. Examples include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl andcyclohexyl. Preferred carbocyclyl groups are cyclopropyl and cyclohexyl.In one embodiment, a C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl group is preferably a C₄-C₆carbocyclyl group and more preferably a C₅-C₆ carbocyclyl group.

As used herein, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl group or moiety is anon-aromatic, saturated or unsaturated C₅-C₁₀ carbocyclic ring, forexample a 5- or 6-membered ring, in which one or more, for example 1, 2or 3, of the carbon atoms are replaced by a heteroatom selected from N,O and S. Saturated heterocyclyl groups are preferred. Examples ofsuitable heterocyclyl groups include piperidinyl, piperazinyl,morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, imidazolidinyl,thiazolidinyl, 1,4 dioxanyl, 1,3 dioxolanyl and dihydroimidazolyl.Preferred heterocyclyl groups are piperidinyl, morpholinyl,pyrrolidinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl and dihydroimidazolyl. Examples ofpreferred heterocyclyl groups are piperidinyl, morpholinyl, pyrrolidinyland dihydroimidazolyl. Particularly preferred heterocyclyl groups arepiperidinyl, morpholinyl, tetrahydrofuranyl and pyrrolidinyl. Examplesof particularly preferred heterocyclyl groups are piperidinyl,morpholinyl and pyrrolidinyl.

As used herein, a C₆-C₁₀ aryl group or moiety is typically a phenyl ornaphthyl group or moiety. Preferably, it is a phenyl moiety.

As used herein, a 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl group is a 5- to10-membered aromatic ring, such as a 5- or 6-membered ring, containingat least one heteroatom, for example 1, 2 or 3 heteroatoms, selectedfrom O, S and N. Examples include pyridyl, pyrazinyl, pyrimidinyl,pyridazinyl, furanyl, thienyl, imidazolyl, pyrazolidinyl, pyrrolyl,oxadiazolyl, oxazolyl, isoxazolyl, thiadiazolyl, thiazolyl and pyrazolylgroups. Thienyl groups are preferred.

Typically, the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups and moieties in thesubstituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B are unsubstituted or substituted by one,two or three substituents which are the same or different and areselected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxy, amino and thiosubstituents. Preferably, the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups andmoieties in the substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B are unsubstituted orsubstituted by a single hydroxy substituent or by one, two or threesubstituents which are the same or different and are selected fromfluorine and chlorine substituents. More preferably, the alkyl, alkenyland alkynyl groups and moieties in the substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and Bare unsubstituted or substituted by a single fluoro substituent.

Typically, when a said aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl or carbocyclylgroup or moiety carries a nitro or cyano substituent, only one of thesubstituents on the aryl, heteroaryl, heterocyclyl, or carbocyclyl groupis a nitro or cyano group. Further, the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyland heteroaryl groups and moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, theheterocyclic or heteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹together with R³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ togetherwith B are typically unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or threesubstituents selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine, hydroxy, amino,thio, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄ alkylthio, C₁-C₄ alkylamino,di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, C₁-C₄ haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy and C₁-C₄haloalkylthio substituents.

Preferably, the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groupsand moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic orheteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹ together withR³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ together with B aretypically unsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three substituentsselected from fluorine, chlorine, hydroxy, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy andC₁-C₄ haloalkyl substituents.

More preferably, the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroarylgroups and moieties in the substituents R¹, the heterocyclic orheteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹ together withR³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ together with B areunsubstituted and the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroarylgroups and moieties in the substituent R⁵ are unsubstituted orsubstituted by one or two substituents selected from fluorine, C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy and C₁-C₂ haloalkyl substituents.

It is further preferred that the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl andheteroaryl groups and moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, theheterocyclic or heteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹together with R³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ togetherwith B are unsubstituted.

Typically, the substituents on the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl andheteroaryl groups and moieties are themselves unsubstituted.

Typically, R′ in the or each Het or Y moiety is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.Preferably, R′ in the or each Het or Y moiety is hydrogen or C₁-C₄alkyl. More preferably, R′ in the or each Het or Y moiety is hydrogen ormethyl.

Typically, L in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₆ alkyl.Preferably, L in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₄ alkyl. Morepreferably, L in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₂ alkyl.

Typically, L′ in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₆ alkyl.Preferably, L′ in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₄ alkyl. Morepreferably, L′ in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is C₁-C₂ alkyl.

Typically, A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is phenyl, C₃-C₆carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl or 5- to 6-memberedheteroaryl. Preferably, A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is phenyl, 5-to 6-membered heterocyclyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl. Examples ofpreferred A groups in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety are phenyl and 5- to6-membered heteroaryl. More preferably, A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moietyis phenyl, tetrahydrofuranyl or thienyl. Examples of more preferred Agroups in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety are phenyl and thienyl.

Typically, Het in the or each R¹, R⁵ or B moiety is —O—, —S— or —NR′—,wherein R′ is as defined above. Preferably, Het in the or each R¹, R⁵ orB moiety is —O—, —S— or —NMe-.

Typically, Y in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —CO—, —SO—, —SO₂—,—CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— or —NR′—CO—, wherein R′ is as defined above.Preferably, Y in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —CO—, —CO—O— or—CO—NR′—, wherein R′ is as defined above. More preferably, Y in the oreach R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —CO—, —CO—O—, —CO—NH— or —CO-NMe-.

Typically, -L-Y-L′ in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆alkyl)-Y—(C₁-C₆ alkyl), wherein Y is as defined above. Preferably,-L-Y-L′ in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Y—(C₁-C₄alkyl), wherein Y is as defined above. More preferably, -L-Y-L′ in theor each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-CO—(C₁-C₂ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-CO—O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-CO—NH—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-CO-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl).

Typically, -L-Het-L′ in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆alkyl)-Het-(C₁-C₆ alkyl), wherein Het is as defined above. Preferably,-L-Het-L′ in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Het-(C₁-C₄alkyl), wherein Het is as defined above. More preferably, -L-Het-L′ inthe or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl).

Typically, -L-Het-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆alkyl)-Het-A, wherein Het and A are as defined above. Preferably,-L-Het-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Het-A, whereinHet is as defined above and A is a phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroarylgroup. More preferably, -L-Het-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O-phenyl.

Typically, -L-Y-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)-Y-A,wherein Y and A are as defined above. Preferably, -L-Y-A in the or eachR¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Y-A, wherein Y is as defined above andA is a phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group. More preferably,-L-Het-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-CO-phenyl,—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-CO—O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-CO—NH-phenyl or —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-CO-NMe-phenyl.

Typically, -L-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)-A,wherein A is as defined above. Preferably, -L-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-A, wherein A is a phenyl, 5- to 6-memberedheterocyclyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group. An example of apreferred -L-A in the or each R¹ or R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-A,wherein A is a phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group. Morepreferably, -L-A in the R¹ moiety is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-tetrahydrofuranyl or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl. Examples of morepreferred -L-A in the R¹ moiety is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl or —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-thienyl. Further, more preferably, -L-A in the R⁵ moiety is—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl.

Typically, -L-A-Het-A in the R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₆ alkyl)-A-Het-A whereinHet is as defined above and each A is the same or different and is asdefined above. Preferably, -L-A-Het-A in the R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₄alkyl)-A-Het-A, wherein Het is as defined above and each A is the sameor different and is a phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl group. Morepreferably, -L-A-Het-A in the R⁵ moiety is —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-phenyl-O-phenyl.

Typically, R¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈ alkynyl, phenyl,C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-memberedheteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A or -L-Y-A, wherein L, L′,A, Het and Y are as defined above.

Preferably, R′ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, C₃-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl,5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A,-L-Het-L′ or -L-Het-A, wherein L, L′, A and Het are as defined above.

In one embodiment, R′ is preferably phenyl, 5- to 6-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′ or -L-Het-A,wherein L, L′, A and Het are as defined above. It is particularlypreferred that R′ is -L-Het-L′ or -L-Het-A, wherein L, L′, A and Het areas defined above. It is more preferred that R′ is -L-Het-L′ wherein L,L′ and Het are as defined above. It is further preferred that R′ is—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Het-(C₁-C₄ alkyl), wherein Het is —O—, —S— or —NMe-.

More preferably, R¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl,cyclohexyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-tetrahydrofuranyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl). Examples of more preferred R¹ groups are C₃-C₈alkyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl,—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄alkyl), —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) and —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂alkyl).

Typically, R² is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R² is hydrogen orC₁-C₄ alkyl. More preferably, R² is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl.

Typically, R³ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R³ is hydrogen orC₁-C₂ alkyl. More preferably, R³ is hydrogen.

When R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they areattached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring, theytypically form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring.Preferably, they form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring. Examples ofsuch rings are piperidinyl, morpholinyl and pyrrolidinyl rings.Typically, said heterocyclic and heteroaryl rings are unsubstituted.

When R¹ and R³ form, together with the —N—C═N— moiety to which they areattached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring, theytypically form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl ring.Preferably, they form a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring. Examples ofsuch rings are dihydroimidazole and tetrahydropyrimidine rings withdihydroimidazole rings being preferred. Typically, said heterocyclic andheteroaryl rings are unsubstituted.

Typically, R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R⁴ is hydrogen orC₁-C₂ alkyl. More preferably, R⁴ is hydrogen.

Typically, -L-Het-L′- in the moiety B is —(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-Het-(C₁-C₄alkyl)-, wherein Het is as defined above. Preferably, -L-Het-L′- in themoiety B is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-Het-(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-, wherein Het is as definedabove.

Typically, —O-L- in the moiety B is —O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-. Preferably, —O-L-in the moiety B is —O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-.

Typically, —S-L- in the moiety B is —S—(C₁-C₄ alkyl)-. Preferably, —S-L-in the moiety B is —S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-.

Typically, B is C₂-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, B is C₂-C₄ alkyl. Morepreferably, B is 1,2-ethyl or 1,3-propyl. In a preferred embodiment, Bis unsubstituted.

Typically, X is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, wherein R′ is as defined above.Preferably, X is —O— or —NH—. Most preferably, X is —O—.

Typically, R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl,-L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A, -L-Y-A or -L-A-Het-A, wherein L, L′,Het and Y are as defined above and wherein each A is the same ordifferent and is as defined above. Examples of typical R⁵ groups arehydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′,-L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A and L-Y-A, wherein L, L′, A, Het and Y are as definedabove. Preferably, R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl,-L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Het-A or -L-A-Het-A, wherein L, L′, and Het are asdefined above and wherein each A is the same or different and is asdefined above. Examples of preferred R⁵ groups are hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′ and -L-Het-A, wherein L, L′, Aand Het are as defined above. More preferably, R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄alkyl or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl-O-phenyl. Examples of more preferred R⁵ groups arehydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl and —(C₁-C₂)-phenyl.

Typically, R⁶ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R⁶ is hydrogen orC₁-C₂ alkyl. More preferably, R⁶ is hydrogen.

Typically, R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R⁷ is hydrogen orC₁-C₂ alkyl. More preferably, R⁷ is hydrogen.

When R⁷ is a bond, a C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joinedto one of the carbon atoms of B to form, together with the —N—C— moietyto which R⁷ and B are attached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring,it typically forms a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring such as apyrrolidine or piperidine ring. Pyrrolidine rings are preferred.Typically, said heterocyclic rings are unsubstituted.

When R⁷ is a bond, a C₁-C₄ alkyl or C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joinedto one of the carbon atoms of B to form, together with the —N—C— moietyto which R⁷ and B are attached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring,R⁷ is typically a bond, or a C₁-C₄ alkyl moiety. Preferably, R⁷ is aC₁-C₂ alkyl moiety.

Typically, R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl. Preferably, R⁸ is hydrogen orC₁-C₂ alkyl. More preferably, R⁸ is hydrogen.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the moiety

in the compounds of formula (J) typically represents

preferably represents

and more preferably represents

wherein R⁶, R⁷ and R⁸ are as defined above.

In one embodiment, the compound of formula (I) is notN^(G)-allyl-L-arginine or N^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. In a secondembodiment, the compound of formula (I) is not N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-propyl-L-arginine or N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine. In a furtherembodiment, the compound of formula (I) is not N^(G)-propyl-L-arginineor N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine. In a preferred embodiment, the compound offormula (I) is not AG-propyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine orN^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. More specifically, if the compound offormula (J) is used in the manufacture of a medicament for use in thetreatment of pruritus, it is preferred that the compound of formula (I)is not N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine or N^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. If thecompound of formula (I) is used in the manufacture of a medicament foruse in the treatment of stroke, Alzheimer's disease and otherneurodegenerative diseases, septic shock, inflammatory arthritis orcolitis, it is preferred that the compound of formula (I) is note-allyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-propyl-L-arginine orN^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine. If the compound of formula (I) is used inthe manufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of solidtumors, it is preferred that the compound of formula (I) is notN^(G)-propyl-L-arginine or N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine.

Preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein:

-   -   either (a) R¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈ alkynyl,        phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to        6-membered heteroaryl,    -   -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A or -L-Y-A, wherein:        -   L is C₁-C₆ alkyl;        -   L′ is C₁-C₆ alkyl;        -   A is phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered            heterocyclyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl;        -   Het is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, wherein R′ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆            alkyl; and        -   Y is —CO—, —SO—, —SO₂—, —CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— or            —NR′—CO—, wherein R′ is as defined above;    -   R² is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl    -   R³ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl.    -   or (b) R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they        are attached, a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl        ring, and R³ is as defined above;    -   or (c) R¹ and R³ form, together with the —N—C═N— moiety to which        they are attached, a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic or heteroaryl        ring, and R² is as defined above;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   B is C₂-C₆ alkyl;    -   X is —O—, —S— or —NR′—, wherein R′ is as defined above;    -   R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆        carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered        heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A, -L-Y-A or        -L-A-Het-A, wherein L, L′, Het and Y are as defined above and        wherein each A is the same or different and is as defined above;    -   R⁶ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl;    -   R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl or R⁷ is a bond, a C₁-C₄ alkyl or        C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joined to one of the carbon atoms        of B to form, together with the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B        are attached, a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring; and    -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁-C₆ alkyl,        wherein:    -   the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups and moieties in the        substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B are unsubstituted or substituted        by one, two or three substituents which are the same or        different and are selected from fluorine, chlorine, bromine,        hydroxy, amino and thio substituents; and    -   the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and        moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or        heteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹        together with R³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷        together with B are typically unsubstituted or substituted by        one, two or three substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine,        bromine, hydroxy, amino, thio, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy, C₁-C₄        alkylthio, C₁-C₄ alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₄ alkyl)amino, C₁-C₄        haloalkyl, C₁-C₄ haloalkoxy and C₁-C₄ haloalkylthio        substituents.

Examples of such compounds are the preferred compounds of formula (I) asdefined above wherein R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl,phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A or L-Y-A,wherein L, L′, A, Het and Y are as defined above.

More preferred compounds of formula (I) are those wherein:

-   -   either (a) R¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, C₃-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆        carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered        heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′ or -L-Het-A, wherein:        -   L is C₁-C₄ alkyl;        -   L′ is C₁-C₄ alkyl;        -   A is phenyl, 5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl or 5- to            6-membered heteroaryl;        -   Het is —O—, —S— or —NMe-;    -   R² is hydrogen or C₁-C₄ alkyl;    -   R³ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   or (b) R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they        are attached, a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring and R³ is as        defined above;    -   or (c) R¹ and R³ form, together with the —N—C═N— moiety to which        they are attached, a 5- to 6-membered heterocyclic ring and R²        is as defined above;    -   R⁴ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   B is C₂-C₄ alkyl;    -   X is —O— or —NH—;    -   R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to        6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A,        -L-Het-L′, -L-Het-A or    -   -L-A-Het-A, wherein L, L′ and Het are as defined above and        wherein each A is the same or different and is as defined above;    -   R⁶ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   R⁷ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl or R⁷ is a C₁-C₂ alkyl moiety        which is joined to one of the carbon atoms of B to form,        together with the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B are attached, a        pyrrolidine or piperidine ring; and    -   R⁸ is hydrogen or C₁-C₂ alkyl;    -   wherein:    -   the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynyl groups and moieties in the        substituents R¹ to R⁷ and B are unsubstituted or substituted by        a single hydroxy substituent or by one, two or three        substituents which are the same or different and are selected        from fluorine and chlorine substituents; and    -   the aryl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and        moieties in the substituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or        heteroaryl moieties formed by R¹ together with R² and R¹        together with R³ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷        together with B are typically unsubstituted or substituted by        one, two or three substituents selected from fluorine, chlorine,        hydroxy, C₁-C₄ alkyl, C₁-C₄ alkoxy and C₁-C₄ haloalkyl        substituents.

Examples of such compounds are the more preferred compounds of formula(I) as defined above wherein:

A is phenyl or 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl; and

R⁵ is hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′ or -L-Het-A,wherein L, L′, A and Het are as defined above.

Particularly preferred compounds of formula (I) are compounds of formula(II)

wherein:

-   -   either (a) R¹¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl,        cyclohexyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl,        —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-tetrahydrofuranyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O-phenyl,        —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)        or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl);    -   R²¹ is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl;    -   or (b) R¹¹ and R²¹ form, together with the nitrogen to which        they are attached, a piperidinyl, morpholinyl or pyrrolidinyl        ring;    -   B¹ is a 1,2-ethyl or 1,3-propyl moiety; and    -   R⁵¹ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂        alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl-O-phenyl;    -   wherein:    -   the alkyl groups and moieties in the substituents R¹¹, R²¹, B        and R⁵¹ are unsubstituted or substituted by a single fluoro        substituent; and    -   the phenyl and carbocyclyl groups in R¹¹ and the heterocyclic        moieties formed by R¹¹ together with R²¹ are unsubstituted and        the phenyl groups in R⁵¹ are unsubstituted or substituted by one        or two substituents selected from fluorine, C₁-C₂ alkyl, C₁-C₂        alkoxy and C₁-C₂ haloalkyl substituents.

Examples of such compounds are the particularly preferred compounds offormula (II) as defined above wherein:

-   -   R¹¹ is C₃-C₈ alkyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl,        —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl, —(C₁-C₂        alkyl)-O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂        alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl); and    -   R⁵¹ is hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, wherein:    -   the phenyl and carbocyclyl groups in R¹¹, the phenyl groups in        R⁵¹ and the heterocyclic moieties formed by R¹¹ together with        R²¹ are unsubstituted.

In one embodiment, R¹¹ is preferably phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl,—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-tetrahydrofuranyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂alkyl) or —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl). In a preferred embodiment offormula (II), R¹¹ is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl). In a particularlypreferred embodiment of formula (II), R¹¹ is —(CH₂)₂—O—CH₃.

In a further preferred embodiment of formula (II), R⁵¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl or—(C₁-C₂)-phenyl. In a particularly preferred embodiment of formula (II),R⁵¹ is —CH₂-phenyl.

In a preferred embodiment of formula (II), B¹ is a 1,3-propyl moiety.

In a further preferred embodiment of formula (II), R¹¹ is —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) and R⁵¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl or —(C₁-C₂)-phenyl. In aparticularly preferred embodiment of formula (II), R¹¹ is —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl) and R⁵¹ is C₁-C₄ alkyl.

Examples of these particularly preferred compounds of the invention are:

-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-isopropylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-propylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-benzylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclohexylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-phenylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-thiophenemethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-octylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclopropylguanidino)butanoic acid-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2′-dimethylaminoethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-2,2-dimethylpropyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-phenoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methylthioethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-isopropoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-allylguanidino)butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-[(piperidine-1-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-[(pyrrolidine-1-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoic acid;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-[(morpholine-4-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoic acid;-   (S)-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid;-   (S)-4-N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidinobutanoic acid;-   N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid methyl    ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid ethyl    ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid propyl    ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid butyl    ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid benzyl    ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid isopropyl    ester;-   N^(G)-(2-Methoxyethyl)-L-arginine methyl ester;-   N^(G)-(2-Methoxyethyl)-L-arginine benzyl ester;-   (S)-2-Amino-5-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)pentanoic acid    methylamide;-   (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid    benzylamide;-   (S)—N^(G)-((Tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)-arginine;-   (2S)-2-Amino-4-N^(G)-((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)guanidinobutanoic    acid;-   2-Methoxybenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   4-Methoxybenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   2-Fluorobenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   3-Trifluoromethyl-4-fluorobenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)) guanidino]butanoate;-   3-Phenoxybenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   3-Methylbenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   3-Trifluoromethylbenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate;-   3-Fluorobenzyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate; and-   2-Methoxyethyl    (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate,    and pharmaceutically acceptable salts thereof.

As used herein, a pharmaceutically acceptable salt is a salt with apharmaceutically acceptable acid or base. Pharmaceutically acceptableacids include both inorganic acids such as hydrochloric, sulphuric,phosphoric, diphosphoric, hydrobromic or nitric acid and organic acidssuch as citric, fumaric, maleic, malic, ascorbic, succinic, tartaric,benzoic, acetic, methanesulphonic, ethanesulphonic, benzenesulphonic orp-toluenesulphonic acid. Pharmaceutically acceptable bases includealkali metal (e.g. sodium or potassium) and alkali earth metal (e.g.calcium or magnesium) hydroxides and organic bases such as alkyl amines,aralkyl amines or heterocyclic amines.

The compounds of the present invention have the chirality shown informula (I). However, the compounds can also have chiral centres atother points in the molecule. For the avoidance of doubt, the chemicalstructures depicted herein are intended to embrace all stereoisomers ofthe compounds shown, provided they have the chirality at the carbon 0 tothe carbonyl group which is shown in formula (I).

The compounds of formula (I) may be prepared by conventional routes, forexample those set out in schemes 1 and 2 below.

Compounds of formula (I) may be prepared from a substituted guanidine ina two step reaction as shown in Reaction Scheme 1, wherein R¹ to R⁸, Band X are as defined above. In the first step, a substituent isintroduced onto the carboxamide nitrogen by reaction with theappropriate alcohol under Mitsunobu conditions. In the second step afurther substituent is introduced by displacement of the pyrazole moietywith a primary or secondary amine. Where necessary, when R², R³, R⁵ orR⁷ are hydrogen, they can be replaced by a suitable protecting groupwhich can then be removed after the second step. A suitable protectinggroup is Boc which can be removed under acid conditions, such astreatment with HCl in 1,4-doxane. The skilled person will readilyunderstand when such protection is necessary. Compounds of formulae(II), (III) and (V) are known compounds or can be prepared by theskilled person using known methods. For example, compounds of formula(I) can be prepared frombis-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine.

Reaction Scheme 2 is a variant of Reaction Scheme 1 and can be used toprepare compounds of formula (I) wherein R¹ is a primary or secondaryalkyl group and R² to R⁸, B and X are as defined above. Compounds offormulae (VI), (VII) and (IX) are known compounds or can be prepared bythe skilled person using known methods. For example, compounds offormula (VI) can be prepared frombis-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine.

The thus obtained compounds of formula (I) may be salified by treatmentwith an appropriate acid or base. Racemic mixtures obtained by any ofthe above processes can be resolved by standard techniques, for exampleelution on a chiral chromatography column.

An inhibitor of a DDAH is one which, when present, produces a measurablereduction in DDAH activity.

Preferred inhibitors are those which reduce DDAH activity by at least10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40% at least 50%, at least60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, at least 95% or at least99% at a concentration of the inhibitor of 1 μg ml⁻¹, 10 μg ml⁻¹, 100 μgml⁻¹, 500 μg ml⁻¹, 1 mg ml⁻, 10 mg ml⁻¹ or 100 mg ml⁻¹.

The percentage inhibition represents the percentage decrease in activityin a comparison of assays in the presence and absence of the testsubstance. Any combination of the above mentioned degrees of percentageinhibition or activation and concentration of inhibitor or activator maybe used to define an inhibitor or activator of the invention, withgreater inhibition at lower concentrations being preferred.

Inhibition may occur if, for example, the inhibitor resembles thesubstrate and binds at the active site of the DDAH. The substrate isthus prevented from binding to the same active site and the rate ofcatalysis is reduced by reducing the proportion of enzyme moleculesbound to substrate (competitive inhibition). An inhibitor may also exertits effects by non-competitive inhibition where the inhibitor andsubstrate can bind simultaneously to DDAH and thus bind at differentnon-overlapping sites. Inhibition occurs as the turnover number of theDDAH decreases.

Typically, the compounds of the present invention cause substantially noinhibition of NOS expression or activity.

A suitable assay for inhibition of NOS activity is the[¹⁴C]Arginine-[¹⁴C] citrulline method which is described in D. S. Bredtand S. H. Snyder, Nitric oxide mediates glutamate-linked enhancement ofcGMP levels in the cerebellum, Proc Natl Acad Sci USA, 1989 November,86(22), 9030-3.

Typically, the compounds of the present invention achieve less than 50%inhibition, preferably less than 20% inhibition, more preferably lessthan 10% inhibition of NOS and particularly preferably less than 5%inhibition. In a preferred embodiment, the compounds of the presentinvention cause no detectable inhibition of NOS expression or activity.Generally, such results are achieved at a concentration of compound of0.01 to 10 μm, for example 0.1 to 5, or 1 to 2 μm.

In one embodiment it is preferred that an inhibitor for use in theinvention shows at least 100×, 1000× or at least 10⁶× greater percentageinhibition of DDAH methylarginase activity and/or expression at a givenconcentration of inhibitor than the percentage inhibition of NOS at thatsame concentration.

In one embodiment, a compound of the invention has substantially noeffect, activatory or inhibitory, upon NOS activity and/or substantiallyno effect upon NOS expression.

The compounds of the invention are found to be inhibitors of DDAH. Thecompounds of the present invention can therefore be used to treat acondition treatable by a DDAH inhibitor. The compounds of the inventionare therefore therapeutically useful. Accordingly, the present inventionprovides a compound of the formula (I), as defined above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment ofthe human or animal body. In particular, in the treatment of a conditionin which the abnormal metabolism of NO is implicated. The presentinvention relates to the use of a compound of formula (I), as definedabove, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof for use in themanufacture of a medicament for use in the treatment of a diseasetreatable by a DDAH inhibitor. In one embodiment, the present inventionprovides a compound of the formula (I), as defined above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for use in the treatment ofthe human or animal body, provided that the compound of formula (I)N^(G)-propyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine orN^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. The compounds of the invention arebelieved to be novel and the present invention thus provides forcompounds of formula (I), as defined above, or a pharmaceuticallyacceptable salt thereof. In one embodiment, the present inventionprovides a compound of formula (J), as defined above, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof provided that the compound offormula (I) is not propyl-L-arginine, e-allyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine, e-butyl-L-arginine orN^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. Also provided is a pharmaceuticalcomposition comprising a compound of the formula (I), as defined above,or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or diluent. In one embodiment, the present inventionprovides a pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of theformula (I), as defined above, or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof, and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent, providedthat the compound of formula (I) is not N-propyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine or N^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine. Saidpharmaceutical composition typically contains up to 85 wt % of acompound of the invention. More typically, it contains up to 50 wt % ofa compound of the invention. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions aresterile and pyrogen free. Further, the pharmaceutical compositionsprovided by the invention typically contain a compound of the inventionwhich is a substantially pure optical isomer.

As used herein, the term “disease whose pathology is affected by DDAH”refers to any disease wherein the level and/or activity of DDAH is notat the required amount to cause reversal of the pathology of thedisease. In one embodiment, such diseases are associated with anincrease in the expression of DDAH. Such diseases can be identified bymeasuring the expression of DDAH in a patient with a particular diseaseand comparing the results with a control. In another embodiment, adisease whose pathology is affected by DDAH is a disease whereinalteration in the level and/or activity of DDAH causes a change in thelevel and/or activity of another species which is associated with thedisease. An example of such a species is NO. Such diseases can beidentified by measuring the amount of this species in a patient beforeand after the administration of a compound of the present invention anddetermining whether there has been a change in the level and/or activityof said species.

The compounds of the invention may be administered in a variety ofdosage forms. Thus, they can be administered orally, for example astablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersiblepowders or granules. Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of theinvention are compositions suitable for oral administration, for exampletablets and capsules.

Compositions suitable for oral administration may, if required, containa colouring or flavoring agent. Typically, a said capsule or tabletcomprises from 5 to 500 mg, preferably 10 to 500 mg, more preferably 15to 100 mg, of a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptablesalt thereof.

The compounds of the invention may also be administered parenterally,whether subcutaneously, intravenously, intramuscularly, intrasternally,transdermally or by infusion techniques. The compounds may also beadministered as suppositories.

One preferred route of administration is inhalation. The majoradvantages of inhaled medications are their direct delivery to the areaof rich blood supply in comparison to many medications taken by oralroute. Thus, the absorption is very rapid as the alveoli have anenormous surface area and rich blood supply and first pass metabolism isbypassed.

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions of the invention therefore includethose suitable for inhalation. The present invention also provides aninhalation device containing such a pharmaceutical composition.Typically said device is a metered dose inhaler (MDI), which contains apharmaceutically acceptable chemical propellant to push the medicationout of the inhaler. Typically, said propellant is a fluorocarbon.

Further preferred inhalation devices include nebulizers. Nebulizers aredevices capable of delivering fine liquid mists of medication through a“mask” that fits over the nose and mouth, using air or oxygen underpressure. They are frequently used to treat those with asthma who cannotuse an inhaler, including infants, young children and acutely illpatients of all ages.

Said inhalation device can also be, for example, a rotary inhaler or adry powder inhaler, capable of delivering a compound of the inventionwithout a propellant.

Typically, said inhalation device contains a spacer. A spacer is adevice which enables individuals to inhale a greater amount ofmedication directly into the lower airways, where it is intended to go,rather than into the throat. Many spacers fit on the end of an inhaler;for some, the canister of medication fits into the device. Spacers withholding chambers and one-way valves prevent medication from escapinginto the air. Many people, especially young children and the elderly,may have difficulties coordinating their inhalation with the actionnecessary to trigger a puff from a metered dose inhaler. For thesepatients, use of a spacer is particularly recommended.

Another preferred route of administration is intranasal administration.The nasal cavity's highly permeable tissue is very receptive tomedication and absorbs it quickly and efficiently, more so than drugs intablet form. Nasal drug delivery is less painful and invasive thaninjections, generating less anxiety among patients. Drugs can bedelivered nasally in smaller doses than medication delivered in tabletform. By this method absorption is very rapid and first pass metabolismis bypassed, thus reducing inter-patient variability. Nasal deliverydevices further allow medication to be administered in precise, metereddoses. Thus, the pharmaceutical compositions of the invention aretypically suitable for intranasal administration. Further, the presentinvention also provides an intranasal device containing such apharmaceutical composition.

A further preferred route of administration is transdermaladministration. The present invention therefore also provides atransdermal patch containing a compound of the invention, or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof. Also preferred is sublingualadministration. The present invention therefore also provides asub-lingual tablet comprising a compound of the invention or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof.

A compound of the invention is typically formulated for administrationwith a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. For example,solid oral forms may contain, together with the active compound,diluents, e.g. lactose, dextrose, saccharose, cellulose, corn starch orpotato starch; lubricants, e.g. silica, talc, stearic acid, magnesium orcalcium stearate, and/or polyethylene glycols; binding agents; e.g.starches, arabic gums, gelatin, methylcellulose, carboxymethylcelluloseor polyvinyl pyrrolidone; disaggregating agents, e.g. starch, alginicacid, alginates or sodium starch glycolate; effervescing mixtures;dyestuffs; sweeteners; wetting agents, such as lecithin, polysorbates,laurylsulphates; and, in general, non toxic and pharmacologicallyinactive substances used in pharmaceutical formulations. Suchpharmaceutical preparations may be manufactured in known manner, forexample, by means of mixing, granulating, tableting, sugar coating, orfilm coating processes.

Liquid dispersions for oral administration may be syrups, emulsions andsuspensions. The syrups may contain as carriers, for example, saccharoseor saccharose with glycerine and/or mannitol and/or sorbitol.

Suspensions and emulsions may contain as carrier, for example a naturalgum, agar, sodium alginate, pectin, methylcellulose,carboxymethylcellulose, or polyvinyl alcohol. The suspension orsolutions for intramuscular injections may contain, together with theactive compound, a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, e.g. sterilewater, olive oil, ethyl oleate, glycols, e.g. propylene glycol, and ifdesired, a suitable amount of lidocaine hydrochloride.

A further preferred route of administration is intravenousadministration. Solutions for injection or infusion may contain ascarrier, for example, sterile water or preferably they may be in theform of sterile, aqueous, isotonic saline solutions. The compounds ofthe invention are inhibitors of DDAH and may be used in the treatment ofconditions in which increased NO production is implicated. Inparticular, conditions such as ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the brainor heart, cancer, lethal hypotension in severe inflammatory conditionssuch as septic shock or multi-organ failure, or local and systemicinflammatory disorders including arthritis, skin disorders, inflammatorycardiac disease or migraine may be treated. Further, conditions such asneurodegeneration and asthma, wherein inhibition of NO has beensuggested as a therapeutic option, can also be treated. The compounds ofthe invention can also be used in the treatment of ischaemia-reperfusioninjury of the brain or heart, cancer, lethal hypotension in severeinflammatory conditions, local and systemic inflammatory disorders,neurodegeneration, asthma, pain or sepsis. The compounds of the presentinvention can further be used in the treatment of peritonealinflammation. Preferably, the compounds of the present invention areused in the treatment of ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the brain orheart, cancer, lethal hypotension in severe inflammatory conditions,local and systemic inflammatory disorders, pain or sepsis.

Increased DDAH expression has also been implicated in an increase intumour growth and angiogenesis (V. Kostourou, S. P. Robinson, J. E.Cartwright and G. St. J. Whitley, British Journal of Cancer 2002, 87,673-680) and has been further implicated in enhanced tumour hypoxia (S.P. Robinson, V. Kostourou, H. Troy, J. F. Murray, G. Whitley and J. R.Griffiths, Clinical Cancer Research, 2003, 9, 6209s). DDAHover-expression has also been shown to enhance VEGF expression and thetube-forming capacity of cells. The compounds of the present inventioncan therefore be used in the treatment of conditions associated withtumour growth, angiogenesis and hypoxia and also enhanced VEGFexpression. The compounds of the present invention can therefore be usedfor anti-angiogenic and anti-cancer therapy. In particular, the types ofcancer that can be treated by the compounds of the present invention arethose which are angiogenic in nature. The compounds of the presentinvention can further be used in the treatment of a tumour whichoverexpresses DDAH, for example DDAH1 overexpressing glioma (braintumour) or pancreatic cancer.

The compounds of the present invention are thought to be particularlyuseful in the treatment of solid tumours. Examples of such solid tumoursinclude ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer,liver cancer, kidney cancer, stomach cancer, prostate cancer, lungcancer, thyroid cancer, pancreatic cancer, Kaposis sarcoma and skincancer. The compounds of the present invention are also thought to beuseful in the treatment of head, neck and oesophageal solid tumours.Skin cancer is a preferred example a solid tumour for treatment by thecompounds of the present invention and a preferred type of skin canceris melanoma. A further preferred solid tumour for treatment by thecompounds of the present invention is pancreatic cancer.

Inhibition of DDAH will result in an increase in the concentration ofL-NMMA. L-NMMA has been shown to be effective in treating conditionssuch as inflammatory disease states, pain and sepsis. The compounds ofthe present invention can therefore be used in the treatment of suchconditions.

Alternatively, the compounds of the present invention could be used as ajoint therapy together with an inhibitor of NOS activity (for example, amethylarginine). For example, a specific inhibitor of a DDAH isoformcould be used with the methylarginine L-NMMA. This approach mayradically alter the activity profile of L-NMMA and may result in L-NMMAhaving an increased inhibitory effect for a specific NOS isoform. Thus,the invention provides products containing an inhibitor of a DDAHactivity and/or expression and a methylarginine as a combinedpreparation for simultaneous, separate or sequential use in thetreatment of ischaemia-reperfusion injury of the brain or heart, cancer,lethal hypotension in severe inflammatory conditions such as septicshock or multi-organ failure, or local and systemic inflammatorydisorders including arthritis, skin disorders, inflammatory cardiacdisease or migraine.

The compounds of the present invention are thought to be particularlysuitable for acute clinical use.

The compounds of the present invention may also be used as antimicrobialagents, for example antibacterial agents. Therefore, the invention alsoprovides a chemical entity for use in the treatment of a bacterialinfection.

An inhibition in DDAH activity and/or expression has also beenimplicated in the treatment of inflammatory pain. A compound of thepresent invention is therefore useful for combating pain in a human oranimal. An agent may act to alleviate existing pain in an individual ormay be administered in anticipation of a painful condition. Thustreatment may be therapeutic or prophylactic. Preferably the compound issuitable for use in a mammal. In particular, it is preferred that thesubject for treatment is human. However, the invention will also be ofveterinary use for treating livestock and domestic animals. For example,the invention may be of use for treating cattle, pigs, sheep, horses,dogs, cats or rabbits.

Generally the pain to be treated is one in which pain signals areprocessed at least in part by the thalamus. For example, the pain may be“fast pain” for example, sharp pain, pricking pain, electric pain, or“slow pain”, for example, burning pain, aching pain, throbbing pain,nauseous pain.

Attempts have been made to classify different types of pain. Among thoseclasses which have been broadly identified, but which neverthelessoverlap to an extent, are acute and chronic pain.

A definition of acute pain (Halpern (1984) Advances in Pain Research andTherapy Vol. 7, Ed. C. Bendetti et al, p 147) which is not intended tobe limiting, is as a constellation of unpleasant sensory, perceptual andemotional experiences of certain associate autonomic (reflex) responses,and of psychological and behavioural reactions provoked by injury ordisease. Tissue injury provokes a series of noxious stimuli which aretransduced by nociceptors to impulses transmitted to the spinal cord andthen to the upper part of the nervous system. Examples of acute pain aredental pain, post-operative pain, obstetric pain, headaches, neuralgiaand myalgia.

A definition of chronic pain (Halpern (1984) ibid.) also not limiting,is pain that persists beyond the usual course of an acute disease orbeyond a reasonable time for an injury to heal. Chronic pain istypically a result of persistent dysfunction of the nociceptive painsystem. Examples of chronic pain include trigeminal neuralgia,post-herpetic neuralgia (a form of chronic pain accompanied by skinchanges in a dermatomal distribution following damage by acute HerpesZoster disease), diabetic neuropathy, causalgia, “phantom limb” pain andpain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.Some of these, for example, trigeminal neuralgia, diabetic neuropathicpain, causalgia, phantom limb pain and central post-stroke pain, havealso been classified as neurogenic pain. One non-limiting definition ofneurogenic pain is pain caused by dysfunction of the peripheral orcentral nervous system in the absence of nociceptor stimulation bytrauma or disease.

Physiological and pathological pain have been defined in terms of theirorigin in the plasticity of the nervous system. The latter is defined inturn as the alteration in structure or function of the nervous systemcaused by development, experience or injury and can be either adaptiveor maladaptive (Cervero, F. (1991) Eur. J. Neurosci Suppl 4, 162).Adaptive plasticity underlies the ability of the nervous system tocompensate for damage or to produce changes in function which areappropriate to environmental change. Physiological pain, considered tobe a sensation which reflects specific peripheral stimuli, is based onadaptive plasticity.

Maladaptive plasticity comprises those changes in the nervous systemwhich lead to a disruption of function and therefore effectivelyconstitute a disease state. Pathological pain is considered to be asensation resulting from changes within the nervous system which bringabout an alteration in the way in which information from the periphery,some of which is quite normal, is handled. Pathological pain istherefore based on maladaptive plasticity (Woolf, C. J. (1989) Br. J.Anaesth. 63, 139-146).

Maladaptive plasticity of the nociceptive system has also been shown, inexperimental models, to be present in states of chronic pain. Forinstance, multiple injections of hyperalgesic substances such as PGE₂into the paw of a rat have been shown to induce sustained hyperalgesiato mild pressure (e.g. Nakamura-Craig and Smith (1989) Pain 38, 91-98;Ferreira et al (1990) Pain 42, 365-371; Nakamura-Craig and Gill (1991)Neurosci. Lett. 124, 49-51).

A number of animal models have been developed of neuropathic pain inparticular peripheral neuropathic pain, which suggest that this pain isoften associated with partial denervation (Decosterd I and Woolf C J(2000) Pain 00:1-10). Such models mimic in particular, pain associatedwith, for example diabetic neuropathy, postherpetic neuralgia, toxicneuropathies, compression neuropathies and trauma, characterised byspontaneous lancinating, burning pain and shock like pain, as well aspain hypersensitivity including tactile allodynia, pinprick hyperalgesiaand hyperpathia.

The compounds of the present invention can be used in a method oftreating, including preventing, pain in a human or animal, the methodcomprising administering thereto a therapeutically or prophylacticallyeffective amount of the agent. The compounds can be used in thetherapeutic or prophylactic treatment of pathological conditions inwhich pain occurs. The condition of a human or animal to which thecompound is administered can thereby be improved.

The compounds of the present invention are useful for treating orpreventing different types of pain including chronic pain and acutepain. Examples of chronic pain which can be targeted using the presentinhibitors include trigeminal neuralgia, post-herpetic neuralgia,painful diabetic neuropathy, causalgia, central post-stroke pain,“phantom limb” pain, atypical facial pain, back pain, headaches,neuralgia and pain associated with osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritisand cancer.

Examples of acute pain which can be treated using the compounds of thepresent invention include dental pain, post-operative pain, obstetricpain, headaches, neuralgia and myalgia. In particular, the compounds canbe administered pre-operatively to counteract the acute pain associatedwith surgical operations, including dental surgery and labour pain. In apreferred embodiment the present invention comprises a method ofadministering a therapeutically effective amount of a compound to apatient prior to a dental operation, for example a tooth extraction.Virtually no analgesic agents currently in use are effective incontrolling pain when administered pre-operatively in this way.

The invention also provides a method for treating pain according towhich a compound of the present invention is administered jointlytogether with one or more other agents. For example, a compound may beadministered with a known anti-pain agent. In one embodiment a compoundof the present invention is administered with an inhibitor of NOSactivity such as a methylarginine. For example, a compound of thepresent invention may be used in conjunction with L-NMMA and/or ADMA.This approach may radically alter the activity profile of L-NMMA and/orADMA and may result in L-NMMA and/or ADMA having an increased inhibitoryeffect for NOS.

A compound of the present invention may be administered in parallel withanother agent (such as methylarginine), or the agents may beadministered sequentially, one following on from the other.Alternatively, a compound of the present invention and another agent(for example methylarginine), while acting together for the samepurpose, may be administered separately. Thus, the invention providesproducts containing a compound of the present invention and a modulatorof DDAH methylarginase activity and/or expression and a further agent(such as methylarginine) as a combined preparation for simultaneous,separate or sequential use in the treatment of pain in a human oranimal.

As described, a compound of the present invention may be used to improvethe condition of a patient experiencing pain or to prevent or reducefuture pain. The formulation of a compound of the present invention foradministration in preventing or alleviating pain will depend largelyupon the nature of the compound. Formulation is also influenced, forexample, by whether a pharmaceutical or veterinary use is intended, andby the requirement for passage across the blood-brain barrier. Acompound may also be formulated for simultaneous, separate or sequentialuse with another substance such as a methylarginine. In general, it ispreferred that the compound is directed or administered to neuronalcells, especially those of the CNS.

In one embodiment, the activity of the compounds of the invention isrestricted only to particular cell types. For example, activity may belimited to neuronal cells especially those of the CNS, in particularthalamic cells. A compound may be formulated for uptake specifically bysuch cells. Alternatively, a compound of the present invention may beadministered directly to such cells. For example, an agent may beinjected into the thalamus.

The term treatment in this context is deemed to cover any effect from acure of said condition to alleviation of any or all of the symptoms. Thecompounds of the invention may, where appropriate, be usedprophylactically to reduce the incidence or severity of said conditions.

A therapeutically effective amount of a compound of the invention isadministered to a patient. A typical dose is from about 0.001 to 50 mgper kg of body weight, for example 0.01 to 10 mg, according to theactivity of the specific compound, the age, weight and conditions of thesubject to be treated, the type and severity of the disease and thefrequency and route of administration. Preferably, daily dosage levelsare from 5 mg to 2 g. A daily dose may be given in one or more than one,for example, 2, 3 or 4 administrations.

The following Examples illustrate the invention. They do not, however,limit the invention in any way. In this regard, it is important tounderstand that the particular assays used in the Examples section aredesigned only to provide an indication of activity in inhibiting DDAH. Anegative result in any one particular assay is not determinative.

EXAMPLES General

All starting materials were either commercially available or reportedpreviously in the literature unless noted. Solvents and reagents wereused without further purification. Reactions were monitored by TLC onprecoated silica gel plates (Kieselgel 60 F₂₅₄, Merck). Purification wasperformed by flash chromatography using silica gel (particle size 40-63μM, Merck). ¹H, and ¹³C NMR spectra were recorded on a Bruker AMX-300 orBruker AMX-400 spectrometer. Chemical shifts are reported as ppm (δ)relative to TMS as an internal standard. Mass spectra were recorded oneither a VG ZAB SE spectrometer (electron impact and FAB) or a MicromassQuattro electrospray LC-mass spectrometer. Melting points weredetermined on a Gallenkamp melting point apparatus and are uncorrected.Microanalaysis was carried out by the Analytical Services Section,University College London. All yields reported in the experimentalsection are non-optimized, isolated yields.

Method A: General Method for Synthesis of N^(G)-MonosubstitutedGuanidine Amino Acids

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (3 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution ofN,N′-bis-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine (2 mmol),triphenylphosphine (3 mmol) and the appropriate alcohol (2 mmol) at 0°C., with stirring. The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for3-16 h, concentrated on the rotary evaporator and then subjected toflash column chromatography (10% ethyl acetate/cyclohexane) to give theproduct as a colourless oil.

The N-alkyl substituted pyrazolecarboxamidine (1.5 mmol),Boc-diaminoalkanoic acid tert-butyl ester (1.5 mmol) anddiisopropylethylamine (2.0 mmol) were stirred in acetonitrile (10 mL)for 24 hours. The mixture was concentrated on the rotary evaporator, andthen subjected to flash column chromatography (20-30% ethylacetate/cyclohexane) to give the protected guanidino-amino acid as acolourless gum.

The protected amino acid was stirred in excess 4M hydrogenchloride/dioxane for 24-72 hours. Removal of solvent and byproducts invacuo gave the amino acid as a white hygroscopic solid.

Method B: General Method for Synthesis of N^(G)-Disubstituted2-amino-4-guanidinobutanoic Acids and N^(G)-Aryl2-amino-4-guanidinobutanoic Acids

Diethyl azodicarboxylate (3 mmol) was added dropwise to a solution ofN,N′-bis-tert-butoxycarbonylpyrazole-1-carboxamidine (2 mmol),triphenylphosphine (3 mmol) and N-Boc-homoserine-tert-butyl ester (2mmol) (prepared from the acid by the method described in Mathias, L. J.Synthesis 1979, 561-576) at 0° C., with stirring. The mixture wasstirred at room temperature for 3-16 hours, concentrated on the rotaryevaporator and then subjected to flash column chromatography (20% ethylacetate/cyclohexane) to give the product as a colourless oil.

The N-substituted pyrazolecarboxamidine (1.5 mmol), was stirred with theappropriate secondary or aryl amine (1.5 mmol) in acetonitrile (10 mL)for 24 hours. The mixture was concentrated on the rotary evaporator, andthen subjected to flash column chromatography (20-30% ethylacetate/cyclohexane) to give the protected guanidino-amino acid as acolourless gum.

The protected amino acid was stirred in excess 4M hydrogenchloride/dioxane for 24-72 hours. Removal of solvent in vacuo gave theamino acid as a white hygroscopic solid.

Example 1 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-isopropylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 31% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.00 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz,CH), 3.67 (1H, septet, J 6.4 Hz, NCH(Me)₂), 3.43 (2H, t, J 6.9 Hz, CH₂),2.21-2.03 (2H, m, CH₂), 1.16 (6H, d, J 6.4 Hz, (CH₃)₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz,CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.6 (C), 157.1 (C), 51.9 (CH), 46.7 (CH), 39.4 (CH₂),31.5 (CH₂), 23.1 (2×CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z 203.15101 (M+H), C₈H₁₈N₄O₂M+H calc. 203.15709.

Example 2 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-propylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 35% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.07 (1H, t, J 6.8 Hz,CH), 3.50 (2H, t, J 7.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.18 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 2.26-2.13(2H, m, CH₂), 1.62 (2H, t, J 7.3, 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 0.98 (3H, t, J 7.3 Hz,CH₃); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.6 (C), 158.0 (C), 51.8 (CH),44.8 (CH₂), 39.4 (CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂), 23.6 (CH₂), 11.8 (CH₃); MS (FAB+)found m/z 202.14300 (M+H), C₈H₁₈N₄O₂ M+H calc. 202.14297.

Example 3 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-benzylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 55% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 7.53-7.22 (5H, m, ArH),4.59 (2H, s, PhCH₂), 4.15 (1H, t, J 6.7 Hz, CH), 3.66 (2H, t, J 7.2 Hz,CH₂), 2.41-2.24 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.5(C), 158.0 (C), 137.9 (C), 130.3 (CH), 129.4 (CH), 128.8 (CH), 51.7(CH), 46.5 (CH₂), 39.5 (CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 251.15045(MH⁺), C₁₂H₁₈N₄O₂ M+H calc. 251.15079.

Example 4 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclohexylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 12% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 3.99 (1H, t, J 6.2 Hz,CH), 3.43 (2H, t, J 6.8 Hz, CH₂), 2.21-2.06 (2H, m, CH₂), 1.87 (2H, brd, 2×cyclohexyl H), 1.72 (2H, br d, 2×cyclohexyl H), 1.55 (1H, m, NCHcyclohexyl), 1.41-1.14 (6H, m, 6×cyclohexyl H); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD,27° C.) δ 52.5 (CH), 52.0 (CH), 39.4 (CH₂), 34.2 (CH₂), 31.5 (CH₂), 26.6(CH₂), 26.1 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 243.18175 (M+H), C₁₁H₂₂N₄O₂ M+Hcalc. 243.18209.

Example 5 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-phenylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 17% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 7.47 (2H, t, J 7.3 HzAr C2H, C5H), 7.37 (1H, t, J7.3 Hz, Ar C4H), 7.31 (2H, m, Ar C3H, C5H),4.10 (1H, t, J6.3 Hz, CH), 3.59 (2H, t, J 7.0 Hz, CH₂), 2.33-2.14 (2H,m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.5 (C), 131.5 (CH), 129.2(CH), 127.1 (CH), 51.9 (CH), 39.8 (CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z237.13543 (M+H), C₁₁H₁₆N₄O₂ M+H calc. 237.13514.

Example 6 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 41% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.29 (1H, t, J 6.7 Hz,CH), 3.78-3.68 (4H, m, 2×CH₂), 3.63 (2H, m, OCH₂), 3.61 (3H, s, OCH₃),2.51-2.33 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.6 (C),158.0 (C), 72.6 (CH₂), 59.6 (CH₃), 51.8 (CH), 43.5 (CH₂), 39.5 (CH₂),31.4 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 219.14585 (M+H), C₈H₁₈N₄O₃ M+H calc.219.14585.

Example 7 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-octylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 18% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.13 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz,CH), 3.56 (2H, t, J 6.7 Hz, NCH₂), 3.28 (2H, t, J=7.1 Hz, NCH₂),2.37-2.17 (2H, m, CH₂), 1.42-1.38 (10H, m, 5×CH₂), 0.97 (3H, m, CH₃);¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ; MS (FAB+), found m/z 273.22849 (M+H),C₁₃H₂₈N₄O₂ M+H calc. 273.22903.

Example 8 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclopropylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 41% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.07 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz,CH), 3.50 (2H, t, J 6.9 Hz, CH₂), 2.52 (1H, m, NCH cyclopropyl),2.27-2.11 (2H, br m, CH₂), 0.89 (2H, m, 2×CH cyclopropyl), 0.66 (2H, m,2×CH cyclopropyl); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.6 (C), 159.3(C), 51.9 (CH), 39.4 (CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂), 23.9 (CH), 8.2 (CH₂); MS (FAB+)found m/z 201.13519 (M+H), C₈H₁₆N₄O₂ M+H calc. 201.13514.

Example 9 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2′-dimethylaminoethyl)guanidino)butanoicacid

Yield 0.29% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.15 (1H, t, J 6.7Hz, CH), 3.73 (2H, t, J 6.2 Hz, NCH₂), 3.56 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, NCH₂),3.43 (2H, t, J 6.2 Hz, NCH₂), 2.96 (6H, s, N(CH₃)₂), 2.32-2.19 (2H, m,CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.2 (C), 158.0 (C), 56.9(CH₂), 51.4 (CH), 43.9 (CH₃), 39.2 (CH₂), 37.9 (CH₂), 30.8 (CH₂); MS(FAB+), found m/z 232.17283 (M+H), C₉H₂₁N₅O₂ M+H calc 232.17734.

Example 10 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-2,2-dimethylpropyl)guanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 18% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.18 (1H, t, J 6.7 Hz,CH), 3.62 (2H, t, J 7.3 Hz, CH₂), 3.14 (2H, s, NCH₂(Me)₃), 2.40-2.21(2H, m, CH₂), 1.09 (9H, s, (CH₃)₃); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ171.5 (C), 158.0 (C), 54.2 (CH₂), 51.8 (CH₂), 39.5 (CH₂), 33.5 (C), 31.5(CH₂), 27.7 (3×CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z 231.18222 (M+H), C₁₀H₂₂N₄O₂ M+Hcalc. 231.18209.

Example 11 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-phenoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 56% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 7.31-7.24 (2H, m,2×ArH), 6.97-6.92 (3H, m, 3×ArH), 4.14 (2H, t, J 5.1 Hz, CH₂), 4.09 (1H,t, J 6.9 Hz, CH), 3.66 (2H, t, J 5.1 Hz, CH₂), 3.52 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz,CH₂), 2.30-2.12 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.2(C), 159.8 (C), 158.0 (C), 130.6 (CH), 122.4 (CH), 115.6 (CH), 67.4(CH₂), 51.4 (CH), 42.5 (CH₂), 39.1 (CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) foundm/z 281.16180 (M+H), C₁₃H₂₀N₄O₃ M+H calc. 281.16136.

Example 12 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methylthioethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 38% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.09 (1H, t, J 6.6 Hz,CH), 3.51 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 3.46 (2H, t, J 6.7 Hz, CH₂), 2.72 (2H,t, J 6.7 Hz, SCH₂), 2.30-2.12 (2H, m, CH₂), 2.13 (3H, s, SCH₃); ¹³C NMR(75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.2 (C), 157.6 (C), 51.4 (CH), 41.8 (CH₂),39.0 (CH₂), 33.9 (CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂), 15.2 (CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z235.12235 (M+H), C₈H₁₈N₄O₂S M+H calc. 235.12287.

Example 13 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-isopropoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 41% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.08 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz,CH), 3.65 (1H, septet, J 6.1 Hz, OCH), 3.59 (2H, t, J 5.1 Hz, CH₂), 3.50(2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 3.39 (2H, t, J 5.1 Hz, CH₂), 2.30-2.11 (2H, m,CH₂), 1.17 (5H, d, J 6.1 Hz, 2×CH₃); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ171.2 (C), 158.4 (C), 73.7 (CH), 51.4 (CH), 43.6 (CH₂), 39.1 (CH₂), 31.0(CH₂), 22.3 (CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z 247.17699 (M+H), C₁₀H₂₂N₄O₃ M+Hcalc. 247.17701.

Example 14 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-allylguanidino)butanoic acid

Yield 50% (Method A). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 5.99-5.87 (1H, m, vinylCH), 5.34 (1H, d, J 17.1 Hz, cis vinyl CH), 5.27 (1H, d, J 10.4 Hz,trans vinyl CH), 4.13 (1H, t, J 6.6 Hz, NCH), 3.93 (2H, d, J 4.9 Hz.NCH₂), 3.57 (2H, t, J 6.0 Hz, CH₂), 2.37-2.15 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.5 (C), 158.0 (C), 134.1 (CH), 117.9 (CH₂),51.8 (CH), 45.0 (CH₂), 39.4 (CH₂), 35.2 (CH₂), 31.4 (CH₂); MS (FAB+)found m/z 201.13558 (M+H), C₈H₁₆N₄O₂ M+H calc. 201.13514.

Example 15 (S)-2-Amino-4-[(piperidine-1-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoicacid

Yield 32% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.08 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz,NCH), 3.54 (2H, t, J7.1 Hz, CH₂), 3.48-3.44 (4H, m, 2×CH₂), 2.31-2.13(2H, m, CH₂), 1.68-1.59 (6H, m, 3×CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.)δ 171.7 (C), 157.5 (C), 51.9 (CH), 40.3 (CH₂), 31.3 (CH₂), 26.9 (CH₂),25.2 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 229.16582 (M+H), C₁₀H₂₀N₄O₂ M+H calc.229.16644.

Example 16 (S)-2-Amino-4-[(pyrrolidine-1-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoicacid

Yield 23% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.11 (1H, t, J 6.2 Hz,CH), 3.54 (2H, t, J 6.8 Hz, CH₂), 3.44 (4H, t, J 6.4 Hz, 2×NCH₂ pyrr),2.32-2.05 (2H, m, CH₂), 2.03 (4H, t, J 6.4 Hz, 2×CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz,CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.4 (C), 155.0 (C), 51.5 (CH), 48.5 (CH₂), 39.4(CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂), 26.2 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 215.15070 (M+H),C₉H₁₈N₄O₂ M+H calc. 215.15079.

Example 17 (S)-2-Amino-4-[(morpholine-4-carboximidoyl)-amino]butanoicacid

Yield 30% (Method B). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.09 (1H, t, J 6.2 Hz,CH), 3.74 (4H, t, J 4.9 Hz, 2×CH₂ morph), 3.55 (2H, t, J 6.8 Hz, CH₂),3.48 (4H, t, J 4.9 Hz, 2×CH₂ morph), 2.30-2.19 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 66.9 (CH₂), 51.5 (CH), 47.6 (CH₂), 39.9 (CH₂),30.8 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 231.14593 (M+H), C₉H₁₈N₄O₃ M+H calc.231.14571.

Example 18 (S)-4-(N′-methylguanidino)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylic acid

Yield 38% (Method B, from N-Boc-Hydroxyproline-OBu^(t)). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz): δ 4.55-4.43 (2H, m, CH₂), 3.77-3.68 (1H, m, CH), 3.44-3.31(1H, m, CH), 2.94-2.84 (1H, m, CH) 2.87 (3H, s, CH₃), 2.27-2.17 (1H, m,CH); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) 6; 170.4 (C), 158 (C), 59.6 (CH₂),51.6 (CH₁) 50.6 (CH₂), 35.2 (CH₂), 28.6 (CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z187.10587 (M+H), C₇H₁₄N₄O₂ M+H calc. 187.11950.

Example 19 (S)-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)pyrrolidine-2-carboxylicacid

Yield 26% (Method B, from N-Boc-Hydroxyproline-OBu^(t)). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz): δ 4.55-4.45 (2H, m, CH₂), 3.75-3.71 (1H, m, CH), 3.54 (2H, t,J 4.8 Hz, CH₂), 3.44-3.40 (3H, m, CH₂+CH), 3.38 (3H, s, OCH₃), 2.89-2.85(1H, m, CH), 2.28-2.21 (1H, m, CH); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ170.4 (C), 159.0 (C), 72.1 (CH₂), 59.6 (CH), 59.2 (CH₃), 51.7 (CH), 50.7(CH₂), 43.2 (CH₂), 35.2 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 231.14592 (M+H),C₉H₁₈N₄O₃ M+H calc. 231.14571.

Example 20 (S)-4-N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidinobutanoic acid

Yield 59% (Method A, from 4-amino-tert-butylbutanoate). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD,300 MHz): δ 3.53 (2H, t, J 4.7 Hz, CH₂), 3.39-3.34 (2H, m, CH₂), 3.36(3H, s, OCH₃), 3.24 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 2.39 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂),1.86 (2H, quintet, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ176.7 (C), 158.0 (C), 72.7 (CH₂), 59.2 (CH₃), 42.9 (CH₂), 41.9 (CH₂),31.5 (CH₂), 25.2 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 204.13477 (M+H), C₈H₁₇N₃O₃M+H calc. 204.13481.

Example 21 N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine

Yield 44% (Method A, from Boc-Orn-OBu^(t)). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ4.03 (1H, t, J 6.0 Hz, CH), 3.53 (2H, t, J 5.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.39 (2H, t, J5.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.37 (3H, s, OCH₃), 3.30 (2H, m, CH₂), 2.03-1.94 (2H, m,CH₂), 1.83-1.72 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 171.5(C), 158.2 (C), 72.2 (CH₂), 59.2 (CH₃), 53.5 (CH), 42.9 (CH₂), 41.9(CH₂), 28.7 (CH₂), 25.8 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 233.16097 (M+H),C₉H₂₀N₄O₃ M+H calc. 233.16136.

General Method for Preparation of Esters

To a solution of the acid (typically 0.5 mmol) in the appropriatealcohol (2 mL) at 0° C. was added thionyl chloride (1.1 equivalents),with stirring. The solution was stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. and thenheated under reflux for 1 hour and stirred at room temperatureovernight. Solvent was then removed in vacuo to give the ester as awhite or yellow solid.

Example 22 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidmethyl ester

Yield 83%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.15 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz, CH), 3.86(3H, s, OCH₃), 3.54 (2H, t, J 4.9 Hz, CH₂), 3.47 (2H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂),3.42 (2H, t, J 6.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.38 (3H, s, OCH₃), 2.29-2.11 (2H, m, CH₂);¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 170.3 (C), 157.5 (C), 72.1 (CH₂), 59.2(CH₃), 54.0 (CH₃), 51.5 (CH), 43.0 (CH₂), 38.8 (CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂); MS(FAB+) found m/z 233.16097 (M+H), C₉H₂₀N₄O₃ M+H calc. 233.16136.

Example 23 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidethyl ester

Yield 84%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.33 (2H, q, J 7.1 Hz, CH₂), 4.13(1H, t, J 6.2 Hz, CH), 3.55-3.39 (6H, m, 3×CH₂), 3.38 (3H, s, OCH₃),2.28-2.20 (2H, m, CH₂), 1.34 (3H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₃); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz,CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 169.9 (C), 158.3 (C), 72.1 (CH₂), 64.1 (CH₂), 59.2(CH₃), 51.5 (CH), 43.1 (CH₂), 38.9 (CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂), 14.4 (CH₃); MS(FAB+) found m/z 247.17723 (M+H), C₁₀H₂₂N₄O₃ M+H calc. 247.17701.

Example 24 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidpropyl ester

Yield 80%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.25-4.15 (3H, m, CH, CH₂),3.56-3.39 (6H, m, 3×CH₂), 3.38 (3H, s, OCH₃), 2.27-2.15 (2H, m, CH₂),1.73 (2H, m, CH₂), 0.98 (3H, t, J 7.1 Hz, CH₃); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD,27° C.) δ 170.0 (C), 158.1 (C), 72.1 (CH₂), 69.5 (CH₂), 59.3 (CH₃), 51.6(CH), 43.1 (CH₂), 38.9 (CH₂), 30.9 (CH₂), 22.9 (CH₂), 10.7 (CH₃); MS(FAB+) found m/z 261.19258 (M+H), C₁₁H₂₄N₄O₃ M+H calc. 261.19266.

Example 25 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidbutyl ester

Yield 60%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ; ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.)₆;MS (FAB+) found m/z 275.20818 (M+H), C₁₂H₂₆N₄O₃ M+H calc. 275.20831.

Example 26 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidbenzyl ester

Yield 79%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 7.45-7.27 (5H, m, ArH), 5.23 (2H,s, PhCH₂O), 4.20 (1H, t, J 6.2 Hz, CH), 3.59-3.42 (6H, m, 3×CH₂), 3.30(3H, s, OCH₃), 2.27-2.11 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ169.9 (C), 158.0 (C), 136.3 (C), 129.9 (CH), 129.4 (CH), 129.0 (CH),72.1 (CH₂), 69.5 (CH₂), 59.2 (CH₃), 51.6 (CH), 43.0 (CH₂), 38.9 (CH₂),30.9 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 309.19466 (M+H), C₁₅H₂₄N₄O₃ M+H calc.309.19266.

Example 27 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidisopropyl ester

Yield 72%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 5.11 (1H, septet, J 6.2 Hz,(Me)₂CH), 4.12 (1H, t, J 6.7 Hz, CH), 3.56-3.42 (6H; m, 3×CH₂), 3.38(3H, s, OCH₃), 2.29-2.04 (2H, m, CH₂), 1.33 (6H, d, J 6.2 Hz, (CH₃)₂);¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 169.5 (C), 158.1 (C), 72.5 (CH₂), 72.1(CH) 59.3 (CH₃), 51.6 (CH), 43.1 (CH₂), 39.0 (CH₂), 31.0 (CH₂), 21.9(CH₃); MS (FAB+) found m/z 261.19378 (M+H), C₁₁H₂₄N₄O₃ M+H calc.261.19266.

Example 28 N^(G)-(2-Methoxyethyl)-L-arginine methyl ester

Yield 80%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 4.12 (1H, t, J 6.0 Hz, CH), 3.85(3H, s, OCH₃), 3.53 (2H, t, J 4.7 Hz, CH₂), 3.40 (2H, t, J 4.7 Hz, CH₂),3.38 (3H, s, OCH₃), 3.31-3.27 (2H, m, CH₂), 2.10-1.92 (2H, m, CH₂),1.84-1.69 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 170.7 (C),158.1 (C), 72.2 (CH₂), 59.3 (CH₃), 53.9 (CH₃), 53.6 (CH), 43.0 (CH₂),41.9 (CH₂), 28.7 (CH₂), 25.8 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 247.17725 (M+H),C₁₀H₂₂N₄O₃ M+H calc. 247.17701.

General Method for Preparation of Amides

Amine derivatives of the guanidine amino acids can be synthesised usinga modified version of Method A. For example,3-N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidinopropylamine can be sythesised from MethodA using Boc-1,3-diaminopropane.

Preparative Example 13-N^(G)-(2-Methoxyethyl)guanidinopropylamine

Yield 63% (Method A, from Boc-1,3-diaminopropane). ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300MHz): δ 3.53 (2H, t, J 5.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.40 (2H, t, J 5.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.38(3H, s, OCH₃), 3.34 (2H, t, J 7.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.02 (2H, t, J 7.6 Hz, CH₂),1.96 (2H, tt, J 7.0, 7.6 Hz, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ158.2 (C), 72.2 (CH₂), 59.2 (CH₃), 43.0 (CH₂), 39.7 (CH₂), 38.2 (CH₂),28.0 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 175.15591 (M+H), C₇H₁₈N₄O M+H calc.175.15588.

Isobutyl chloroformate (1 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (1 mmol) wereadded to L-Boc-ornithine(Fmoc) (1 mmol) in chloroform (5 mL) at −10° C.,with stirring. The mixture was stirred at −10° C. for 15 minutes, andthen the required amine (1 mmol) was added and the mixture stirred for afurther 3 hours with gradual warming to room temperature. The solventwas removed in vacuo and the residue subjected to flash columnchromatography (1:1 cyclohexane:ethyl acetate) to give the amide as awhite powder.

The amide (0.5 mmol) was stirred with piperidine (5 equivalents) inchloroform (3 mL) with monitoring by tlc until the starting material wasconsumed. Solvent and excess piperidine were removed in vacuo and theentire crude product was used in the next step.

The N-alkyl substituted pyrazolecarboxamidine (0.5 mmol), and the crudeBoc-protected amide (˜0.5 mmol) were stirred in acetonitrile (5 mL) for48 hours. After removal of solvent, the residue was subjected to flashcolumn chromatography to give the Boc-protected guanidino-amino amide.

The Boc-protected amide was stirred in excess HCl/dioxane for 72 hours,then the solvent removed in vacuo to give the product as a white solid.

Example 29 (S)-2-Amino-5-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)pentanoic acidmethyl amide

Yield 36%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): δ 3.92 (1H, t, J 6.5 Hz, CH), 3.53(2H, t, J 4.7 Hz, CH₂), 3.40 (2H, t, J 5.0 Hz, CH₂), 3.37 (3H, s, NCH₃),3.32-3.26 (2H, m, CH₂), 2.79 (3H, s, CH₃), 1.96-1.89 (2H, m, CH₂),1.74-1.66 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27° C.) δ 170.3 (C),158.1 (C), 72.2 (CH₂), 59.3 (CH₃), 54.1 (CH), 43.0 (CH₂), 42.0 (CH₂),29.7 (CH₂), 26.4 (CH₃), 25.6 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 246.19305 (M+H),C₁₀H₂₃N₅O₂ M+H calc. 246.19299.

Example 30 (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidbenzylamide

Yield 33%. ¹H NMR (CD₃OD, 300 MHz): 7.33-7.22 (5H, m, ArH), 4.43 (2H, d,J 5.5 Hz, CH₂), 4.09 (1H, t, J 6.7 Hz, CH), 3.53-3.40 (4H, m, 2×CH₂),3.36 (3H, s, OMe), 2.24-2.09 (2H, m, CH₂); ¹³C NMR (75 MHz, CD₃OD, 27°C.) δ 169.9 (C), 158.1 (C), 139.3 (C), 129.6 (Ar CH), 128.9 (Ar CH),128.5 (Ar CH), 72.1 (CH₂), 59.3 (CH₃), 52.3 (CH), 44.4 (CH₂), 43.0(CH₂), 38.8 (CH₂), 32.1 (CH₂); MS (FAB+) found m/z 308.21039 (M+H),C₁₅H₂₅N₅O₂ M+H calc. 308.20864.

Example 31 (S)—N^(G)-((Tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)-arginine

tert-Butyl(2S)-2-Boc-amino-5-(N,N′-bis-Boc-N^(G)-((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)guanidino)pentanoate(0.30 g, 0.5 mmol, 1 eq.), was dissolved in dioxane (3 mL). 4MHCl/dioxane (5 mL, 20 mmol, 40 eq) was added and the solution stirredfor 48 hours. All excess reagents and solvents were removed in vacuo.The compound was purified by freeze-drying to yield a sticky,hygroscopic solid (74.2 mg, 67.3%). ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 1.64 (m, 2H);1.79 (m, 2H); 1.93 (m, 2H); 1.98 (m, 2H); 3.44 (m, 2H); 3.58 (m, 1H);3.88 (m, 2H); 3.93 (m, 1H); 4.00 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 25.8(CH₂); 26.7 (CH₂); 28.8 (CH₂); 29.4 (CH₂); 41.9 (CH₂); 48.2 (CH₂); 54.1(CH); 69.4 (CH). N.B. Values for C═N and C═O are too weak to bedetermined.

Example 32(2S)-2-Amino-4-N^(G)-((tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)guanidinobutanoicacid

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 31. Yield56.3%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 1.63 (m, 2H); 1.91 (m, 2H); 2.21 (m, 2H);3.51 (t, J=6 Hz, 2H); 3.60 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H); 3.75 (m, 2H); 3.88 (m,1H); 4.80 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 2H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 26.7 (CH₂); 29.9(CH₂); 31.0 (CH₂); 39.0 (CH₂); 46.8 (CH₂); 51.4 (CH); 69.4 (CH₂); 70.7(CH); 158.3 (C); 171.2 (C).

Example 33 2-Methoxybenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

(2S)-2-Amino-4-N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-guanidinobutanoic acid (100 mg,0.34 mmol, 1 eq.) was dissolved in excess 2-methoxybenzyl alcohol (2mL). The solution was cooled to 0° C. and thionyl chloride (0.2 mL, 2.75mmol, 8 eq.) was added slowly. Once calm, the solution was heated to 70°C. for 48 hours. The product was purified by trituration (EtOAc) andfreeze-dried to yield a sticky, hygroscopic solid (56.1 mg, 48%). ¹H NMR(d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.30 (m, 2H); 3.41 (m, 3H); 3.54 (m, 5H);3.81 (m, 2H); 4.05 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2H); 4.58 (m, 1H); 6.67 (m, 2H); 7.32(m, 1H); 7.36 (m, 1H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 31.0 (CH₂); 39.1 (CH₂); 43.0(CH₂); 51.8 (CH); 55.7 (CH₃); 59.2 (CH₃); 60.4 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂); 111.2;112.3; 121.4; 129.0; 129.6; 132.1 (Aromatic Peaks); 158.2 (C); 171.4(C). LCMS: 339.4 (M+H).

Example 34 4-Methoxybenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield80%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.22 (m, 2H); 3.30 (m, 2H); 3.41 (m, 2H); 3.52(m, 5H); 3.77 (m, 5H); 4.43 (m, 1H); 6.96 (m, 2H); 7.25 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR(d₃-MeOD): δ 31.0 (CH₂); 39.0 (CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 43.8 (CH₂); 51.4 (CH);55.7 (CH₃); 59.3 (CH₃); 72.2 (CH₂); 114.8; 115.3; 115.6; 129.9; 130.6;133.0 (Aromatic Peaks); 158.3 (C); 171.2 (C). LCMS: 339.3 (M+H).

Example 35 2-Fluorobenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield42.7%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.30 (m, 2H); 3.39 (m, 5H);3.52 (m, 2H); 4.06 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1H); 4.20 (t, J=7.0 Hz, 1H); 4.66 (s,1H); 7.19 (m, 2H); 7.47 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 31.0 (CH₂); 39.0(CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 51.5 (CH); 58.7; 59.2 (CH₃); 63.2 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂);116.7; 117.1; 125.7; 130.5; 131.0; 133.2 (Aromatic Peaks); 158.3 (C);171.9 (C). LCMS: 327.3 (M+H).

Example 36 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-fluorobenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield28.3%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.05 (m, 2H); 3.31 (m, 2H); 3.40 (m, 5H);3.53 (m, 2H); 3.61 (m, 2H); 3.63 (m, 1H); 7.32 (m, 1H); 7.67 (m, 2H).¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 22.8; 32.2 (CH₂); 39.8 (CH₂); 42.3 (CH₂); 53.1(CH); 59.2 (CH₃); 72.1 (CH₂); 158.1 (C). N.B. The integration values forthe NMR revealed the presence of 50% starting material, indicating thereaction had not gone to completion. LCMS: 395.4 (M+H).

Example 37 3-Phenoxybenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield52.8%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.30 (m, 1H); 3.35 (m, 1H);3.42 (m, 2H); 3.52 (m, 5H); 4.03 (t, J=7 Hz, 1H); 4.21 (t, J=7 Hz, 1H);4.57 (s, 1H); 6.99 (m, 3H); 7.13 (m, 3H); 7.37 (m, 3H). ¹³C NMR(d₃-MeOD): δ 31.1 (CH₂); 39.1 (CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 51.6 (CH); 59.2 (CH₃);69.0 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂); 118.1; 118.5; 119.8; 120.1; 122.7; 124.5; 124.8;130.8; 131.0; 131.3; 138.3; 145.1 (Aromatic Peaks); 158.7 (C); 169.8(C). LCMS: 401.3 (M+H).

Example 38 3-Methylbenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield64.1%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.22 (m, 2H); 2.32 (d, J=6.4 Hz, 3H); 3.30(b, 2H); 3.35 (s, 2H); 3.38 (b, 2H); 3.45 (b, 2H); 3.51 (b, 3H); 4.55(s, 1H); 7.13 (m, 4H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 21.5 (CH₃); 31.0 (CH₂); 38.9(CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 51.6 (CH); 59.2 (CH₃); 69.6 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂); 125.1;126.9; 128.9; 130.5; 136.2; 139.0 (Aromatic Peaks); 142.6 (C); 170.0(C). LCMS: 323.3 (M+H).

Example 39 3-Trifluoromethylbenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield11.0%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.38 (m, 7H); 3.53 (t, J=4.7,2H); 3.60 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 2H); 4.67 (s, 1H); 7.70 (m, 4H). The NMRintegrations indicate the presence of 50% starting material and hence,it can be concluded that the reaction did not go to completion. LCMS:377.4 (M+H).

Example 40 3-Fluorobenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield60.7%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.30 (m, 2H); 3.42 (m, 2H);3.54 (m, 5H); 4.06 (t, J=6.5 Hz, 1H); 4.24 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 1H); 6.96 (m,1H); 7.12 (m, 1H); 7.31 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 30.9 (CH₂); 38.9(CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 51.6 (CH); 59.2 (CH); 64.4 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂); 114.5;116.5; 123.4; 125.5; 131.0; 138.2 (Aromatic peaks); 169.8 (C); 171.3(C). LCMS: 327.3 (M+H).

Example 41 2-Methoxyethyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2-methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate

Synthesised using an adaptation of the procedure of Example 33. Yield66.7%. ¹H NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 2.20 (m, 2H); 3.38 (s, 6H); 3.41 (t, J=5.1Hz, 2H); 3.47 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2H); 3.52 (t, J=5.1 Hz, 2H); 3.67 (t, J=5.1Hz, 2H); 4.18 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H); 4.41 (m, 2H). ¹³C NMR (d₃-MeOD): δ 31.0(CH₂); 43.0 (CH₂); 51.5 (CH); 59.1 (CH₃); 59.2 (CH₃); 64.3 (CH₂); 66.4(CH₂); 71.0 (CH₂); 72.1 (CH₂); 158.1 (C); 169.9 (C). LCMS: 277.4 (M+H).

Results Biological Screening DDAH Activity Assay

Rat kidney was homogenized in PBS containing PMSF 1 mM, leupeptin 5μg/ml, pepstatin 5 μg/ml, chymostatin 5 μg/ml, and the lysate wascentrifuged (4000 rpm. 20 min then supernatant further centrifuged for40000 rpm, 30 min, 4° C.). The supernatants were analyzed for DDAHactivity; [¹⁴C]L-NMMA (1 μmol/L) was added to the cell lysates (finalvolume 100 μl) and incubated for 1 h at 37° C. Dowex resin (0.5 ml) atneutral pH was immediately added to samples to terminate the reactionand bind unmetabolized L-NMMA. [¹⁴C]Citrulline formation was determinedby scintillation counting (Hewlett Packard). The results are shown inTables 1 and 1A.

Cell Assays

RAW cells were grown to 70% confluence in T₁₅₀ flasks then stimulatedwith LPS (5 μg/ml), TNFα (10 ng/ml) and IFNγ (100 U/ml) for 24 h, cellswere scraped in cold 100 mM Tris (pH 7.6), 1 mM DTT, PMSF 1 mM,leupeptin 5 μg/ml, pepstatin 5 μg/ml, chymostatin 5 μg/ml and CaCl₂ 200μM. Cells were lysed by three cycles of freeze/thaw and cleared bymicrocentrifugation. Protein concentration in the supernatants wasdetermined by Biorad protein assay prior to use in the NOS assay.

Cell Viability Assay

RAW cells were treated with DDAH inhibitor compound (0.5 mM) in completemedia for 24 h; cells were subsequently assessed for viability by MTTassay. Cell culture media was removed from cells and replaced with 200μl complete media containing3-[4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT 0.2mg/ml) for 30 min at 37° C. MTT containing media was removed and 100 ulDMSO was added to solubilize cells; after shaking, plates were read atOD₅₅₀ nm.

There was no significant difference between untreated cells and thoseexposed to DDAH inhibitors. The results of the assay are shown in Table2.

iNOS Activity Greiss Assay

RAW cells were stimulated for 24 h with LPS/IFN and TNF, in the presenceof the DDAH inhibitor compounds (0.5 mM). Levels of NOx secreted intothe media by the cells were determined by Griess assay: Greiss reagent[1:1 sulfanilamide (10%) in ortho-phosphoric acid (50%) andN-(1-napthyl)ethylenediamine dihydrochloride (1%)] was added as 100 μlvolume to 100 μl cell culture media and the plate was read at 550 nm andanalysed in relation to sodium nitrite and nitrate standards.

There was no significant difference between untreated cells and thoseexposed to DDAH inhibitors (n=10). The results of the assay are shown inTable 3.

eNOS Assay

Compounds to be tested were added to NOS assay buffer (HEPES 50 mM pH7.2, FAD 5 μM, FMN 5 μM, BH₄ 10 μM, NADPH 1 mM, DTT 0.5 mM, CaCl₂ 1 mM,MgCl₂ 1 mM, calmodulin 50 nM, [¹⁴C] arginine 100 μM) in a final volumeof 100 μl and the reaction was initiated by addition of eNOS (eNOS 3.3.U/reaction, Alexis Biochemicals). Reactions were incubated for 1 h at37° C. and the reaction was terminated by the addition of Dowex pH 5.5(0.85 ml) to each tube. Tubes were vortexed and microfuged <12000 g, 5min. 100 μl of the Dowex supernatant was added to 5 ml scintillationcocktail and was counted in a scintillation counter (Hewlett Packard).The compounds were tested at 1 mM and 0.1 mM concentrations. Activity isexpressed as % of control where control contained no inhibitor, n=4. TheDDAH inhibitors of the present invention tested had no significanteffect on eNOS activity. The results are shown in Table 4.

In Vivo Studies

Male Wistar rats (250-300 g; Charles River, Margate, Kent, UK) wereanaesthetised using Isoflurane. The jugular vein was cannulated. Animalswere injected intravenously with a bolus dose of inhibitor (60 mg/kg) orsaline. Anaesthesia was maintained for 4 hours at the end of which bloodwas obtained via cardiac puncture for the determination of serumdimethylarginine levels. [All animals received care in compliance withThe British Home Office Regulations and Principles of Laboratory AnimalCare. (Project licenses PPL/5344, PPL/4824, PPL 70/5580)]

The results of the study are shown in Table 5.

As can be seen from Table 5, ADMA levels were higher in the treatedanimals, which is consistent with the inhibition of DDAH. SDMA is not asubstrate for DDAH and the levels of SDMA would be expected to be thesame of the treated and the control animals, and this was the case.Since there is a great deal of variability of the “normal” ADMA and SDMAlevel, it is useful to measure the ratio of ADMA and SDMA in each animalto provide a reliable indicator of the relative changes of these tosubstances.

Inhibition of DDAH Reduces Peritoneal Inflammation

The effects of a DDAH inhibitor on zymosan-induced peritonitis weretested in two different strains of mice. C57/Blk6 or TO mice, male 8-10weeks were placed in a heat box for 10 mins at 38° C., and treated with60 mg/kg of SR291 [NA-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine methyl ester] i.v. 30mins later they were given 1 mg of zymosan i.p. A second dose of SR291(60 mg/kg) was administered 2 h later and after 4 h mice wereanesthetised with isofluorane and blood withdrawn by cardiac puncture.Mice were sacrificed and had 2 mls of ice cold PBS injected into theirperitoneal cavity, the cavity was then gently massaged and cut open, theperitoneal washout was harvested and put on ice. Blood was spun down at400 g, 10 mins at 4° C. The cells were spun at 4000 rpm for 5 mins at 4°C. Plasma was removed from the blood and frozen at −80° C. The exudatesfrom the washout were removed and frozen at −80° C., the cell pellet wasresuspended in 1 ml ice cold PBS and were counted on a haemocytometer.The cells were spun as before, the supernatant discarded and the cellsfrozen at −80° C. Polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell infiltrate into theperitoneal cavity was used to measure inflammation. In three separateexperiments each involving 8-12 mice (half treated with saline half withactive drug) SR291 significantly reduced PMN infiltrate. The results ofthe study are shown in Tables 5 to 10. Table 6 shows the resultsobtained for zymosan peritonitis (C57's male 8-10 weeks) 60 mg/kg SR 291iv −30 min taken off at 4 hrs. Table 7 shows the cumulative results ofthe dataset that appears in Table 6. Table 8 shows a combination of twodatasets for the C57 mice. Table 9 shows the results obtained forzymosan peritonitis (TO mice male 8-10 weeks) 60 mg/kg SR291 iv −30 min,+2 hrs. Taken off at 4 hrs. Table 10 shows the cumulative results of thedataset that appears in Table 9. Table 11 shows the results of a secondstudy obtained for zymosan peritonitis (TO mice male 8-10 weeks) 60mg/kg SR 291 iv −30 min, +2 hrs. Taken off at 4 hrs. Table 12 shows thecumulative results of the dataset that appears in Table 11. Table 13shows the cumulative results of the two datasets that appear in Tables 9and 11.

DDAH Inhibition Restores Vascular Reactivity and Maintains BP inEndotoxaemia

Effects of two compounds SR 291 [N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-argininemethyl ester] and SR 257 [N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine]) have beentested in a series of models of endotoxin-induced vascular dysfunction.Treatment of rat aortic vascular rings in static culture with endotoxin(10 μg/ml) led to an increase in generation of nitric oxide (as measuredby nitrite and nitrate). This increase in NO was prevented by treatmentwith 500 μM SR257 or SR291. The results of this study are shown in FIG.1.

Incubation of rat aortic rings with endotoxin (0.3 μg/ml) led to thedevelopment of hyporeactivity to vasoconstrictors. This effect wasreversed dose dependently by inhibition of DDAH using 100 μM and 200 μMSR291 or SR257 whilst the inactive D-isomers of each compound showed noeffect. This is shown in FIGS. 2 a and 2 b.

Injection of endotoxin (40 mg/kg) into rats caused a progressive fall insystemic BP. The decline was halted by infusion of 30 mg/kg/hr SR291.This is shown in FIG. 3.

These data show that inhibition of DDAH may be used to prevent vascularcollapse in sepsis.

TABLE 1 Inhibition IC₅₀, Compound Name at 1 mM, % □M(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-isopropylguanidino)butanoic acid 38(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-propylguanidino)butanoic acid 41(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-2,2-dimethylpropyl)guanidino)butanoic 19 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-octylguanidino)butanoic acid 27(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclohexylguanidino)butanoic acid 51 1470(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 90 189 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-phenoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 38 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-isopropoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid 97 301(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methylthioethyl)guanidino)butanoic 19 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-phenylguanidino)butanoic acid 65 1000(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-benzylguanidino)butanoic acid 22(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-thiophenemethyl)guanidino)butanoic 34 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-allylguanidino)butanoic acid 70 998(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2′-dimethylaminoethyl)guanidino)butanoic 25 acid(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-cyclopropylguanidino)butanoic acid 65 1020(S)-2-Amino-4-[(piperidine-1-carboximidoyl)- 74 264 amino]butanoic acid(S)-2-Amino-4-[(morpholine-4-carboximidoyl)- 60 686 amino]butanoic acid(S)-2-Amino-4-[(pyrrolidine-1-carboximidoyl)- 79 500 amino]butanoic acidN^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 100 22N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine methyl ester 83 20(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 75 96 acid methylester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 44 159 acidethyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 64 111acid propyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic40 113 acid butyl ester(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic 96 27 acid benzylester

TABLE 1A Inhibition at Compound Name 100 μM (%)(S)-N^(G)-((Tetrahydrofuran-2-yl)methyl)-arginine 30(2S)-2-Amino-4-N^(G)-((tetrahydrofuran-2- 10 yl)methyl)guanidinobutanoicacid 2-Methoxybenzyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 47.4methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate 4-Methoxybenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 22.1 methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate2-Fluorobenzyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 39.8methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate 3-Trifluoromethyl-4-fluorobenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 50.6 methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate3-Phenoxybenzyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 42.7 methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate 3-Methylbenzyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 48.7methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate 3-Trifluoromethylbenzyl(S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 45.3 methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate3-Fluorobenzyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 33.2 methoxyethyl))guanidino]butanoate 2-Methoxyethyl (S)-2-amino-4-[(N′-(2- 59methoxyethyl))guanidino] butanoate

TABLE 2 Number of OD units drug ± sd experiments Control 2.54 ± 0.26 3(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2 2.33 ± 0.19 3 methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acidmethyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2- 2.40 ± 0.21 3methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid propyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-2.40 ± 0.17 3 methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid benzyl esterN^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 2.15 ± 0.13 3N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 2.41 ± 0.10 3 methyl esterL-N-5-(1-iminoethyl)ornithine [NIO] 1.89 ± 0.41 3 ADMA 2.22 ± 0.10 3L-NMMA 2.22 ± 0.08 3

TABLE 3 Number of OD units drug ± sd experiments Control 0.367 ± 0.021 5(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2 0.329 ± 0.013 5 methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoicacid methyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2- 0.351 ± 0.013 5methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid propyl ester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2-0.327 ± 0.026 5 methoxyethyl)guanidino)butanoic acid benzyl esterN^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 0.326 ± 0.014 5N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 0.325 ± 0.009 5 methyl ester NIO 0.103± 0.002 5 ADMA 0.195 ± 0.014 5 L-NMMA 0.121 ± 0.003 5

TABLE 4 % of control ± sd [number of experiments] 1 mM 0.1 mM Control100.0 ± 14.95 [6] 100.0 ± 14.95 [6] (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2 84.05 ± 8.09[4] 87.23 ± 18.05 [2] methoxyethyl)- guanidino)butanoic acid methylester (S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2- 93.97 ± 12.93 [4] 113.5 ± 7.93 [2]methoxyethyl)- guanidino)butanoic acid propyl ester(S)-2-Amino-4-(N′-(2- 82.88 ± 10.08 [4] 101.2 ± 38.07 [2] methoxyethyl)-guanidino)butanoic acid benzyl ester N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine84.81 ± 22.74 [4] 96.84 ± 30.49 [2] N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine112.5 ± 27.47 [4] 120.8 ± 17.80 [2] methyl ester NIO  6.25 ± 7.52 [5] 4.14 ± 8.74 [3] L-NMMA 16.17 ± 15.78 [4]

TABLE 5 Number of ADMA:SDMA ± sd experiments Control 1.81 ± 0.23 9N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 3.50 ± 0.48 8N^(G)-(2-methoxyethyl)-L-arginine 2.73 ± 0.44 4 methyl ester

TABLE 6 cells million/ml drug 1 2 3 4 5 Saline 14 12 7 6.5 6 SR291 3 44.5 6.5 9

TABLE 7 cells million/ml mean SEM Saline 9.1 1.631 SR291 5.4 1.0654

TABLE 8 cells 10⁶/ml mean sem saline 6.7455 0.9746 SR291 4.2 0.6097

TABLE 9 cells 10⁶/ml animal 1 2 3 4 5 6 Saline 4.2 5 4.9 4.8 4.75 5.05SR291 3.05 3.35 3.2 1.4 3.9 4.3

TABLE 10 cells 10⁶/ml mean sem Saline 4.783333 0.12561 SR291 3.20.407636

TABLE 11 cells 10⁶/ml 1 2 3 4 5 6 Saline 6 6.15 6.5 6.3 5.9 5.9 SR2914.3 4.6 4.85 5.2 4.3 3.9

TABLE 12 cells 10⁶/ml mean sem Saline 6.125 0.098107 SR291 4.5250.187861

TABLE 13 cells 10⁶/ml mean sem saline 5.454167 0.216065 SR291 3.86250.292723

Although the present invention and its advantages have been described indetail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps.

1-27. (canceled)
 28. A method of treating a patient suffering from orsusceptible to a condition involving DDAH activity and/or expression,which method comprises administering to said patient an effective amountof a compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable saltthereof,

wherein: a. R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₃-C₁₂ alkyl C₃-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A and -L-Y-A; wherein: L isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂₋₆ alkynyl; L′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂₋₆ alkynyl, A isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl and 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl; Het is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′—, wherein R′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl;and Y is independently selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO—,—SO₂—, —CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— and —NR′—CO—, wherein R′ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; R² is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl andC₂-C₆ alkynyl; and R³ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ akenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl: b.R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, a5- to 10-membered heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; or c. R¹ and R³ form, togetherwith the —N—C═N— moiety to which they are attached, a 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R² is independently selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl: wherein: R⁴ is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl: B isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆akenyl, —O-L-, —S-L- and -L-Het-L′-; wherein L, L′ and Het are asdefined above, X is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′; wherein R′ is as defined above, R⁵ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, aryl, C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′,-L-Het-A, -L-Y-A, -L-A-Het-A, -L-A-L′-A and -L-A-Het-L′-A; wherein L,L′, Het and Y are as defined above and wherein each A is the same ordifferent and is as defined above; R⁶ is independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl; R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or R⁷ isindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, a C₁-C₄alkyl and a C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joined to one of the carbonatoms of B to form, together with the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B areattached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring, and R⁸ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; wherein: the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynylgroups and moieties in the substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B areunsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three substituents which arethe same or different and are independently selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino and thio substituents; and thearyl, carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and moieties inthe substituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or heteroaryl moietiesformed by R¹ together with R² and R¹ together with R³, and theheterocyclic moieties formed by R⁷ together with B are unsubstituted orsubstituted by one, two or three substituents are independently selectedfrom the group consisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino, thio, C₁-C₆ alkyl,C₁-C₆ alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆alkyl)amino, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy and C₁-C₆ haloalkylthiosubstituents.
 29. The method according to claim 28 wherein the compoundof formula (I) is not an inhibitor of NOS.
 30. The method according toclaim 28 wherein the disease is ischaemia-reperfusion injury of thebrain or heart, cancer, lethal hypotension in severe inflammatoryconditions, local and systemic inflammatory disorders,neurodegeneration, asthma, pain or sepsis.
 31. The method according toclaim 28 wherein the disease is peritonitis or sepsis.
 32. A methodaccording to claim 28 wherein the compound of formula (I) is a compoundof formula (II),

wherein: a. R¹¹ independently selected from the group consisting ofC₃-C₈ alkyl, allyl, phenyl, cyclopropyl, cyclohexyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-thienyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-tetrahydrofuranyl,—(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl), —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-S—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) and —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-NMe-(C₁-C₂ alkyl); and R²¹independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, methyl andethyl; or b. R¹¹ and R²¹ form, together with the nitrogen to which theyare attached, a piperidinyl, morpholinyl or pyrrolidinyl ring; B¹independently selected from the group consisting of a 1,2-ethyl and1,3-propyl moiety; and R⁵¹ independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₄ alkyl, —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl, —(C₁-C₂alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₂ alkyl) and —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-phenyl-O-phenyl; wherein: thealkyl groups and moieties in the substituents R¹¹, R²¹, B and R⁵¹ areunsubstituted or substituted by a single fluoro substituent; and thephenyl and carbocyclyl groups in R¹¹ and the heterocyclic moietiesformed by R¹¹ together with R²¹ are unsubstituted and the phenyl groupsin R⁵¹ are unsubstituted or substituted by one or two substituentsindependently selected from the group consisting of fluorine, C₁-C₂alkyl, C₁-C₂ alkoxy and C₁-C₂ haloalkyl substituents.
 33. The methodaccording to claim 28 wherein R¹¹ is —(C₁-C₂ alkyl)-O—(C₁-C₄ alkyl). 34.The method according to claim 28 wherein R⁵¹ is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of C₁-C₄ alkyl and —(C₁-C₂)-phenyl.
 35. Themethod according to claim 28 wherein A is independently selected fromthe group consisting of phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-memberedheterocyclyl and 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl.
 36. The method accordingto claim 28 wherein L and L′ are C₁-C₆ alkyl.
 37. The method accordingto claim 36 wherein L and L′ are the same.
 38. The method according toclaim 36 wherein L and L′ are different.
 39. The method according toclaim 28 wherein R¹ is independently selected from the group consistingof C₃-C₈ alkyl, C₃-C₈ alkenyl, C₃-C₈ alkynyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl,5- to 6-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A,-L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A and -L-Y-A.
 40. The method according toclaims 28 wherein B is C₂-C₆ alkyl.
 41. The method according to claim 28wherein R⁵ independently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen,C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, phenyl, C₃-C₆ carbocyclyl, 5- to 6-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 6-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′,-L-Het-A, -L-Y-A and -L-A-Het-A.
 42. A compound of formula (I) or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof,

wherein: a. R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₃-C₁₂ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂alkynyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A and -L-Y-A; wherein: L isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; L′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; A isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl and 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl; Het is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′—, wherein R′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; Yis independently selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO—,—SO₂—, —CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— and —NR′—CO—, wherein R¹ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; R² is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl andC₂-C₆ alkynyl; and R³ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; b.R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, a5- to 10-membered heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; or c. R¹ and R³ form, togetherwith the —N—C═N— moiety to which they are attached, a 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R² is independently selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl; wherein: R⁴ is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; B isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, —O-L-, —S-L- and -L-Het-L′-; wherein L, L′ and Het are asdefined above; X is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′—; wherein R′ is as defined above; R⁵ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, aryl, C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′,-L-Het-A, -L-Y-A, -L-A-Het-A, -L-A-L′-A and -L-A-Het-L′-A; wherein L,L′, Het and Y are as defined above and wherein each A is the same ordifferent and is as defined above; R⁶ is independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl; R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or R⁷ isindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, a C₁-C₄alkyl and a C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joined to one of the carbonatoms of B to form, together with the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B areattached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring; and R⁸ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; wherein: the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynylgroups and moieties in the substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B areunsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three substituents which arethe same or different and are independently selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino and thio substituents; the aryl,carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and moieties in thesubstituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or heteroaryl moieties formedby R¹ together with R² and R¹ together with R³, and the heterocyclicmoieties formed by R⁷ together with B are unsubstituted or substitutedby one, two or three substituents are independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino, thio, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆alkyl)amino, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy and C₁-C₆ haloalkylthiosubstituents; and the compound of formula (I) is not one of thecompounds selected from the group consisting of N^(G)-propyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine and N^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine.
 43. Apharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I) or apharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, and a pharmaceuticallyacceptable carrier or a diluent,

wherein: a. R¹ is independently selected from the group consisting ofC₃-C₁₂ alkyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkenyl, C₃-C₁₂ alkynyl, C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′, -L-Het-A and -L-Y-A; wherein: L isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; L′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; A isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₆-C₁₀ aryl, C₃-C₈carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heterocyclyl and 5- to 10-memberedheteroaryl; Het is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′—, wherein R′ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl;and Y is independently selected from the group consisting of —CO—, —SO—,—SO₂—, —CO—O—, —CO—NR′—, —O—CO— and —NR′—CO—, wherein R′ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl, and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; R² is independently selectedfrom the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl andC₂-C₆ alkynyl; and R³ is independently selected from the groupconsisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; b.R¹ and R² form, together with the nitrogen to which they are attached, a5- to 10-membered heterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R³ isindependently selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; or c. R¹ and R³ form, togetherwith the —N—C═N— moiety to which they are attached, a 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclic and heteroaryl ring, and R² is independently selected fromthe group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl; wherein: R⁴ is independently selected from the group consistingof hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; B isindependently selected from the group consisting of C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, —O-L-, —S-L- and -L-Het-L′-; wherein L, L′ and Het are asdefined above; X is independently selected from the group consisting of—O—, —S— and —NR′—; wherein R′ is as defined above; R⁵ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl, C₂-C₆ alkynyl, aryl, C₃-C₈ carbocyclyl, 5- to 10-memberedheterocyclyl, 5- to 10-membered heteroaryl, -L-A, -L-Het-L′, -L-Y-L′,-L-Het-A, -L-Y-A, -L-A-Het-A, -L-A-L′-A and -L-A-Het-L′-A; wherein L,L′, Het and Y are as defined above and wherein each A is the same ordifferent and is as defined above; R⁶ is independently selected from thegroup consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆alkynyl; R⁷ is independently selected from the group consisting ofhydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆ alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl, or R⁷ isindependently selected from the group consisting of a bond, a C₁-C₄alkyl and a C₂-C₄ alkenyl moiety which is joined to one of the carbonatoms of B to form, together with the —N—C— moiety to which R⁷ and B areattached, a 5- to 10-membered heterocyclic ring; and R⁸ is independentlyselected from the group consisting of hydrogen, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₂-C₆alkenyl and C₂-C₆ alkynyl; wherein: the alkyl, alkenyl and alkynylgroups and moieties in the substituents R¹ to R⁷, X and B areunsubstituted or substituted by one, two or three substituents which arethe same or different and are independently selected from the groupconsisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino and thio substituents; the aryl,carbocyclyl, heterocyclyl and heteroaryl groups and moieties in thesubstituents R¹ and R⁵, the heterocyclic or heteroaryl moieties formedby R¹ together with R² and R¹ together with R³, and the heterocyclicmoieties formed by R⁷ together with B are unsubstituted or substitutedby one, two or three substituents are independently selected from thegroup consisting of halogen, hydroxy, amino, thio, C₁-C₆ alkyl, C₁-C₆alkoxy, C₁-C₆ alkylthio, nitro, cyano, C₁-C₆ alkylamino, di-(C₁-C₆alkyl)amino, C₁-C₆ haloalkyl, C₁-C₆ haloalkoxy and C₁-C₆ haloalkylthiosubstituents; and the compound of formula (I) not one of the compoundsselected from the group consisting of N-propyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-allyl-L-arginine, N^(G)-propargyl-L-arginine,N^(G)-butyl-L-arginine and N^(G)-cyclopropyl-L-arginine.